Queer Writing for a Queer World
//This picture popped up on my Twitter feed, and I couldn’t resist sharing it with you. It reminds me so much of Max and Min when they lie in bed together after spending their day apart, an intimate moment they share at the end of the day, talking and making sense of the world.
The artist is Paul Cadmus, you can find out more about him on Wikipedia. He has created some fine homo-erotic paintings.
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The start of their stay in Cockaigne means visiting security to obtain their visitor’s permits. Unfortunately, it means Max will have to get naked. Despite becoming familiar with nudity at home and in front of Finn, Max is nervous when he has to be naked in front of a stranger. As you can probably guess, Finn has no problem.
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The day has arrived that the family visit Cockaigne. Finn is beyond excited, but is annoyed that he has to put some clothes on before he gets there. As they drive, Owen tells his boys the name of the place they are staying, the Bell-End Bed and Breakfast.
The moment they pass the sign to say they are entering Cockaigne, Finn immediately strips. But just because you can be naked, it doesn’t mean that most people are always naked.
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The family have a decision to make. Should they move to Cockaigne to be nearer their Father’s new job? Or should they stay? No one has made their mind up yet, and they decide that unless they all agree to move, they won’t be moving.
Max needs time to think about moving. He’s unsure it is right for him and worries about how it will affect his relationship with James.
The brother’s parents, Owen and Lily, are becoming freer and no longer ashamed of nudity and sex. They don’t even wait for their sons to be asleep before having sex, and they aren’t quiet about it.
//I would like to thank everyone for your comments, emails and suggestions. It has been a great series to write, and I hope you have all enjoyed the relationship between the brothers, their family and their friends. This series has proved to be enduring and intriguing to me and is now even longer than my Cockaigne Chronicles novel, “Becoming Kes”. That is no mean feat, especially for me.
But the story of Max and Finn is not over yet. The story is not ready to end. Although I did not start the story with the intention of the brothers visiting Cockaigne, it has naturally converged with the town. So the next part will deal with the family dipping their toes into the remarkable world of Cockaigne. I hope you enjoy the following ten chapters as the brothers experience the town.
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Max has a revelation for Finn. He thinks that Finn is a naturist. It all seems to fit, and Finn comes out as a naturist to their parents. Being only thirteen, his Mum thinks it might be a phase. But Finn is eventually allowed to be naked at home. To Finn’s surprise, his Dad strips down to his briefs one night to support his son, and Max goes all the way.
This is the end of part one of the series ‘Conversations with my Brother’. I hope you have enjoyed the series, so far. This is the longest series I have ever written, which is down to the brothers and their special relationship. I have enjoyed writing about their life and have tried to make any sexual interactions age-appropriate, but this was not a story about sex. It was a story about brothers and the bond between brothers. It is a unique bond that will survive all adversity and will only grow stronger in time.
But the story of Max and Min will continue. As this latest chapter alludes to, the boys might be moving to be closer to their father’s new job. Could his new job be in Cockaigne? Min will love the town, but Max would be parted from his boyfriend. Any move will bring new adventures along with the heartache of being separated from your first love. How will Max cope?
Thank you to everyone who has commented, emailed, and rated the stories. It has been great to read your feedback. Writing this series has got me through a difficult time. In the past, when depression took hold, all writing stopped. But the power of the love between Max and Min got me through it. I love those boys like they are my own sons.
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Max gets help at school from Pete. It seems their relationship is slowly on the mend. But back in bed, Max becomes uncertain about ever sleeping in the same bed with Finn again. Their mother’s concerns have taken root in Max’s mind, but Finn won’t allow Max to go backwards, and as soon as Max is better, he is determined to get more cuddles, snuggles and hugs from Max.
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The following day, Max tells Finn what happened. The drugs have worn off, but this also means the pain is returning. Finn fusses around Max, helping him dress and ensuring he’s comfortable. James visits and tells Max’s mum how he was not allowed to see Max when she arrived. She wasn’t aware and apologised. But with Finn and James around, Max has plenty of people fussing over him. It feels like he doesn’t need his mother.
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Max gives everyone a scare as he is injured on the rugby pitch. James goes with him to the hospital but finds that he can’t stay with him, despite being his boyfriend. Finn waits with James while his parents are with Max as he gets treated. When Max is discharged, Finn helps him at home as the drugs he has taken, while helping with the pain, have made Max very drowsy and dopey.
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Max and Finn’s nightly conversation revolves around their friends. Finn’s best friend, Rick, has been rejected when asking a girl out and turns to Finn to help him make sense of it. Meanwhile, Pete, Max’s friend takes steps to make it up to Max for his homophobic reaction to Max’s coming out.