Page 38 of Sweet Thing

“Okay. We shall continue the conversation tonight. Tschüs.” Sim ended the call. As he looked up, his eye caught Emily’s sheepish grin.

Emily gave Sim his mug of tea and offered a cookie, smiling widely when he took a bite and mmm’ed in approval.

Emily settled into the corner L of the sofa, her sketchbook at her side. She picked it up and began to idly draw Simeon as they spoke.

“So what can I do for you Sim? Is everything okay?” Simeon placed the tea on the table and pulled his feet up so he could hug his knees.

“Can I ask you something in confidence?” His cheek rested on the back of the sofa.

“Of course,”

“I have a friend with a… problem, and I wonder if you could advise me on how to help him.”

“Oh okay. Shoot”, Emily was touched that he had come to her for advice. Her eyes flitted up and down from Simeon’s androgynous features as she sketched rapidly on the page.

“It—the problem—is of a sexual nature. I don’t want to talk to any of the guys about it. We keep this confidential, noh? It’s embarrassing enough for him without—” Sim blushed and drew his hand effeminately across his eyes and shook his head.

Emily stopped drawing and looked up. “If you don’t want Pieter to know, it’s fine. Your business is your business, Sim. I’ll listen and offer advice. You are quite welcome to ignore me. It’s good to talk… Even to get something out of your head”, Emily comforted “Do you mind if I keep sketching while you talk? It helps me think.”

Simeon was well-used to playing the muse for artist and designers, “Yeah sure, no problem.” He sat back and paused for a moment’s thought then, Simeon launched into his prepared speech.

“My friend has a problem with impotence. He lost someone he loved, and he said he can’t be with anyone else. It’s driving him crazy. He’s been to the Doctor and tried Viagra, but it didn’t feel right. I think I like him, and he likes me. I offered to help find a way to... you know.” Simeon waggled his brows, unable to say the words.

Emily was silent for a moment deep in thought while her pencil scratched and danced on the page.

“Well?” Sim prompted.

“God, poor Bastian. He must be so heartbroken”, Emily sighed “If I lost Pieter that would be it for me, I’d never be with anyone again.”

Simeon grimaced at the mention of Bastian’s name; he was decidedly crap at discretion.

“I’ve had a few boyfriends who occasionally couldn’t get hard, but that was usually from being stressed or having too much drink. It wasn’t a long-term problem. But this has been going on for nearly two years, yeah? Fuck.” Emily shook her head. “So how are things between you two now? Did our little nudge work? Are you a couple?”

“Gaah’d… noooh”, Sim exhaled, as if Emily had made the most outrageous suggestion. Couple? That was quite a leap.

“We enjoy each other’s company. We’ve talked a few times on the phone. I know he really loved Mattieus and he’s messed up.” Sim paused for a breath. “It got me thinking… If I died, no one would grieve for me like he is grieving for Mattieus. I’m kinda moved by how much he loved that guy. He’s got a really big heart.”

“So you like him?” Emily snickered.

Simeon pouted. Yes, he did like Bastian, against his better judgment. There was something so endearing about such a brawny, handsome man expressing his vulnerability to him. Simeon was desperate to know more about him.

“Do you feel safe with Bastian, Sim? You appeared to get on really well at the dinner party. If I didn’t know what had happened between you, I wouldn’t believe he could have done what he did. I know you’ve forgiven him, but if he lifts his hand to you again, you run”, Emily said sagely.

Simeon’s eyes narrowed in thought. “I know. That first time was such a clusterfuck. We worked it out. To be honest, I think he was more afraid of me than I was of him. Once my temper flares, I slap like a crazy bitch”, he admitted.

“So have your tried to have sex with him?”

Sim shook his head. “We’ve had phone sex, nothing more. I, um… want to get to know him first”, he said sheepishly, and couldn’t quite believe that the sentence came from his own slutty mouth. He sounded quite the grown up. ”I’ve never really done this before. I’m usually balls deep on the first date.” Sim chuckled. “Bastian’s problem made me think. I can do the sex; sex is easy. I want to try some intimacy for a change. Is that stupid?”

“Of course, it’s not stupid. We all need a bit more love in our lives, babe. So, do you want to have a relationship with Bastian or just help him to get it up?”

“I don’t know what I want.” Simeon adjusted his position on the couch, placing his feet on the ground and running a hand through his hair in frustration. He was thoughtful for a moment “I’m very attracted to him,” he confessed, “Gaah’d, have you seen him?”

“Oh yeah. I know!” Emily agreed sharing a dirty smile.

“Like, the guy is sooo fuckably hot. But there’s just this weird feeling in my gut when I’m with him. It’s crazy how it eats me up that he’s in so much pain. I want to make it better and help him feel good, but I don’t want to pressure him.” Even trying to explain his feelings was confusing the hell out of Simeon and he was sure he was babbling.

“If he’s sure the problems psychological, there are things you can do for him. There are techniques used in Sex Therapy called Sensate Focus. They’re exercises to help build trust and intimacy.” Emily paused for a sip of tea. “Partners who use these techniques become aware of what feels good and what they want, so they can connect and communicate on a level that isn’t about the goal of having an orgasm. Pieter and I use the techniques; it is really, really wonderful”, she enthused.