thegoodfellas/blogset-br huggingface dataset:
gaveall the slaves a present, did you know, Henry? Mr. Tim handed out theenvelopes at breakfast.What did he giveyou?A hundreddollars! Martin exclaimed. What am I going to do with a hundreddollars? He laughed, amused at the thought.Youll think ofsomething you want, Henry told him, although he wasnt sure thiswas true. Martin seemed content with what he had, what was given tohim.Martin put the trayoutside the door and they undressed and brushed their teeth. They gotinto bed and curled up together, Martin making himself small andtucking his head under Henrys chin; Henry found it unbearablysweet how Martin found ways to insinuate himself, to fit closer andcloser, so that even though he was nearly as tall andbroad-shouldered as Henry, he still managed to seem vulnerable, inneed of protection. Henry kissed the top of Martins head and drewhim close. He loved Martin so much, he was sure of it, but was afraidto say it because it would kill him if Martin didnt feel the same.Goodnight, Henry.My sweet Henry. Thank you so much for the present. Martin presseda kiss to his collarbone.I love you.It was right there on his tongue, but Henry swallowed it. Goodnight,Martin. He rubbed his cheek against Martins hair and closed hiseyes.On New Year's Eve,Cook served a light buffet. Mother went to bed early and Father wentto some fancy-dress ball, no doubt meeting up with Mrs. Murdock,taking Timothy with him. At Martin's suggestion, they went up to thenursery and wished Cora a Happy New Year and Henry gave Nurse a kiss.At ten o'clock, he and Martin walked to the Briggs house and met upwith Louis and Peter. The four of them walked a few blocks further tothe Ross house. There were adults in evening dress alighting fromcarriages in front of the house, and the boys slipped inside betweenarrivals. Henry had only ever been to the Rosses house forCharles birthdays and was surprised that the Rosses' footmanseemed to know Louis' by sight.Good evening, Mr.Briggs.They surrenderedtheir coats in the tinsel-bedecked hall. As they were climbing thestairs to the second floor at the footman's back, Henry questionedLouis. Why does he know you?Louis shrugged andblushed. Ive been over a few times.Henry raised aneyebrow, hoping Louis would elaborate, but for once Louis wasclose-mouthed.They were deliveredto a parlor full of boys and their slaves who were in the middle of agame of Twenty Questions, where the answer was plainly cock,though everyone was having such fun howling at the questions that itwas obviously better to prolong the game than to win.Can I put it in aslave's mouth?Can I put it inyour mouth?Charles came togreet them, his cheeks very pink. He offered them a flask and theytook surreptitious sips. Once the party gets underway downstairs,we won't have to be cautious with the liquor, but until then weshould be discreet. There were perhaps ten boys in and out of theroom and the room adjacent, all with their slaves, and there wereseveral flasks in circulation.Someone said, Arewe getting the slaves drunk, too, then? with laughter as theresponse. Someone shoved a flask into Martin's hand and he took a sipand passed it to Peter.Charles
bestfriend Robert sidled up to Henry, offered him a nearly-empty flask,and said, Isn't this the first one of Charles' parties you've beento?Yes, Henrysaid. Does he have lots of parties? I didn't know.Robert blushed,realizing his faux pas. Oh, well. I think he must have thought youwouldn't come before.Henry thought of theRosses' footman familiarly welcoming 'Mr. Briggs, and realizedthat Charles must host swap parties, was maybe even the main host ofswaps in their class, and that Louis had been coming to Charlesparties without telling Henry or seeing to it that he was invited,and this stung a little. More than a little.The game of TwentyQuestions came to an end in a crescendo of hilarity that madeeveryone in the room fall about laughing, though perhaps only five orsix of them had actually heard the joke. Henry certainly hadn't heardit, but the mood was infectious and he laughed anyway. Some of theboys found paper and pencils and started a game of Dictionary. Itpromised to be crude and filthy. Henry moved closer to the players sohe could hear the definitions. He dared to touch Martin's hand inpassing and felt Martin's eyes follow him as he made his way acrossthe room.The adult partydownstairs was noisier now, the orchestra having started playing.Charles recruited Robert and two others to go downstairs with him tosteal some bottles. Henry stood a little apart, watching hisclassmates laughing together. He felt some distance from them;perhaps the alcohol would help with that. What he really wanted to dowas talk with Martin, but he knew how odd it would look if he choseto be with his slave over his friends. For his part, Martin lookedvery happy and at ease with his fellow slaves; Henry wondered, notfor the first time, if Martin ever ached for him the way he did forMartin.Louis was writing uphis definitions for Dictionary when Charles and the rest returnedwith bottles of gin and whiskey. The game was abandoned for themoment as Robert handed around glasses. Charles brought round thewhiskey and poured.Cheers, hesaid.Cheers. Henryraised his glass. What about them? he asked, with a nod of hishead toward the slaves. Are they drinking?They have abottle to pass around, Charles said. We dont want them toodrunk, though. As Charles spoke, his Simon tilted back a bottle ofgin and then passed it to Martin.Louis came to standby Henry. Who do you think will be first to get sick? he asked.I know it won't be me. Louis had a cast-iron stomach, hardenedby years of attending James' parties and taking his dares.Me neither,Henry said, though he had far less authority to make such a claim.Maybe one of the slaves?Nah, Louissaid, shaking his head. They never get that drunk at these thingsunless someone insists. They're always on duty, after all.You've been to alot of Charles parties, I guess. There was more acid in Henry'stone than he'd intended, and he was a little embarrassed at howjealous he sounded.Louis colored. Theyhavent been the sort of parties youd like Henry.How do you knowwhat I'd like? Henry asked, surly, tossing back his whiskey.Louis scoffed atthis. How would I know? Right, Henry.I might havechanged my mind,
Henry said, just to be contrary. He had notchanged his mind. Is this a swap party, then?Louis shrugged,looking uncomfortable. I dont know what Charles has planned. Doyou want more whiskey, then? Or would you rather have gin?Henry made aconscious effort to shake off his jagged jealousy, to be in a morelighthearted mood. He let Louis pour him more whiskey and tried todrink it judiciously, not wanting to be the fellow vomiting in thetoilet while the rest were having fun.Everyone was feelingthe alcohol, that was plain. Charles and Robert tried to act out forthe group a recently-viewed peep show of men leap-frogging, whichresulted in Charles falling on Robert's head, laughing helplessly.It's not supposedto go like that, Robert said, wincing and rubbing his scalp.Make the slavesdo it, someone suggested.Charles shook hishead. No. Don't want to tire them out now, do we?Henry took a seat onthe sofa. He felt a little out of place, embarrassed by theunderstanding that all of these boys had been getting togetherwithout him. It wasnt exactly a surprise, of course, but hedtried not to think about it. He didnt want to swap Martin, but hewanted to be included anyway, somehow, and it hurt that he hadntbeen. He knew he was different than the rest, but he didnt want tobe an outcast.He didn't have muchto contribute to the conversation, but as the boys around himchattered, he laughed at their jokes and encouraged them to telltheir stories. He drank still more whiskey, dimly thinking that itmight not be his best idea to get drunk. Louis caught his eye now andthen and smiled. He could hear Martin's voice at his back, Martin'slaughter, and resisted the urge to turn around to look at him.The whiskey bottlewas passed around and around, Henry topping off his drink each timeit came his way. The door to the other room was closed now and Henryrealized hed never seen what was on the other side. Gradually,Henry blearily noticed that the crowd was thinning out. Had Charlesmade another liquor run and taken the group with him? Louis satacross from him on a spindly chair, Albert sat cross-legged on thefloor, Wendell and Freddie stood in the corner mixing gin and whiskeyin their glasses and making faces as they drank the results. Wherehad the others gone?Albert stood up andcalled to his slave. Stuart! To the rest, he said, I'm goingin, then, I guess. See you in a bit?Maybe later,Louis said. He flushed and looked down at his drink.Albert opened thedoor leading into the next room and ushered Stuart inside, thenfollowed him in and closed the door behind them.Wendell and Freddielooked at each other and shrugged, then beckoned to Ralph and Tom.They also disappeared behind the connecting door, leaving just Louisand Henry and Peter and Martin in the room.There were thuds andlaughter from behind the door. Henry felt a distinct unease. Louis,what's going on? He knew, though.Louis winced. Aw,you can guess, cant you, Henry?Henry could. Buttheres a whole ball going on downstairs! he said in protest,thinking how improper it seemed to be having a sex party over theheads of the oblivious adults. But just
the other day, his owncousins had been swapping with a very merry Christmas party happeningbelow. Boys could swap in any circumstances, it seemed, theirdetermination and lust unaffected by unfavorable or precariousconditions.We do this allthe time, Henry. The adults dont interferethey know exactlywhats going on. The rest of us have been getting together to playwith them since we first got them. You had to know this, Henry.Of course Henry hadknown, but he hadnt wanted it to be true. Why havent I beeninvited, then? he demanded.Youve neverliked the idea of swapping, Henry, and Ive always known this. Itold people not to invite you, because I didnt want you to be puton the spot. Besides, when you fought with Adam about the...cocksuckingincident, you made it clear to everyone that you didn't want toshare, so why would they invite you to parties where sharing is thepoint?Why was I invitedto this party, then?Louis shrugged,looking irritated. I don't know, Henry. Ask Charles. ButI'd guess it's because you're a good guy and he likes you all right,and maybe he thought you'd have changed your mind about swapping bynow. If he'd have asked me, I'd have told him not to inviteyou. No one needs you being all judgmental, Henry. Were not doinganything wrong.Angrily, Henrydrained his glass. Im not being judgmental, Henryinsisted. Just because I don't want to share Martin doesn't mean Icare what the rest of you do with your slaves, he said, thoughthis was actually untrue. He did care about how the other slaves weretreated.However, despite hissincere concern for their well-being, Henry was absolutely notopposed to the slaves being made to have sex at a masters whim.The idea was extremely titillating. In truth, Henry would very muchlike to observe a swap party, if not actually participate in it. Heimagined being with Martin, hidden behind some filigreed screen orvelvet curtain, watching and listening and pleasuring one another asinspiration hit. He didnt really want to see his friends cocks,but he liked the idea of seeing the beautiful slaves naked andaroused. He liked the idea of seeing two boys kiss. He liked a lot ofthings about the idea of swaps, but he didnt want to share. Hewouldnt. Martin was his own.The door opened andAlbert leaned into the room. Are you two coming? There wereshouts and laughter behind him.Louis turned aroundin his chair to answer. Just a few more minutes, I think.What about you,Henry? Albert tilted his head, cocked an eyebrow. Don't youwant to come in?He doesn'tshare, Louis said hurriedly. You remember that, right?Albert waved thisoff as if it were of no consequence. Come in and see, heencouraged. Just bring your slave and get in here.Henry was torn. Hedid want to see. He was curious. He thought of Jesseinviting him to stay and watch; this might be like that. He wouldnthave to share Martin. He could just look. He stood up, swaying alittle on unsteady legs. He was drunker than hed realized.Louis stood, too,and put a hand on his arm. Henry. Maybe you should just go home.Henry shook offLouis' hand. No, I want to see. Martin, come here, he called.You, too, Peter.Albert pushed
thedoor open and ushered them inside with a sweep of his arm. It wassome sort of library or game room with a table in the center,bookshelves all around, a settee to the left. The masters werearrayed around the perimeter of the room, lounging against thebookshelves or sitting slumped on straight chairs. Their faces weresly, indolent, and they sipped their drinks with their eyes firmlyfixed on the flesh of the slaves. The slaves were all naked, theirstrong young bodies every form of perfect, their discarded clothespiled in the corner. The scent of male arousal was heavy in the air.Freddie's pretty Tom was on his back on the gaming table and RobertsDick stood between his thighs fucking him. Tom made little hitchingsounds with each slam of Dicks hips against his ass. As Henrywatched, Charles' Simon went to stand by Tom's head and Tom fellatedhim awkwardly, craning his neck. At the directive of one of themasters, David's Alex reached for Tom's cock with one hand whilestroking his own with the other. Slaves not directly engaged in thistangle were kissing one another and playing with one another'spricks. Without being told to do so, Peter began to strip off hisclothes. Martin moved to join him, but Henry caught his wrist andheld him in place.Charles sat on thesettee with his cock out, stuffed into the mouth of Albert's Stuart,who knelt naked on the carpet. He looked up when Henry and Louisentered with their slaves. Ah-ha! he cried. Finally, Henry!I thought we'd never see you and your fancy slave at one of thesethings! He kept his hand on the back of Stuart's head as he spoke.Henry panicked alittle. I'm not he said. I mean, Albert said that Ididn't need to, or, rather, I don't share. He felt relieved to sayit. Im not going to share Martin. Making himself clear.Charles lookedbaffled. But why not? he asked. You'll never know if any ofthem are better than yours unless you try. He looked down at hislap. Stuart here has the best mouth, in my opinion, but Robertswears by my Simon.No one's favoriteis their own, it turns out, Albert said, close at Henry's elbow.It's fun as hell to try them all, Henry.But you have toshare, Charles said. Or it isn't fair.Across the room,Freddie unbuttoned his trousers and called to Peter, who went withouteven looking at Louis, as if while he was in this room he belongedequally to any of the masters.Henry shook hishead. No. Sorry. I won't share. He wouldnt put Martin in theposition of having to answer to any master who called his name. Hewouldnt be able to bear it.Charles frowned.Well, you can't just stand around and watch, Blackwell. It's notfair to the rest of us. Play along or leave. He petted Stuart'shead then pushed it down into his lap. Acting like some stuck-up,selfish prude, he muttered, but meaning for Henry to hear.Completely unreasonable.Fuming, Henry turnedon his heel, elbowed Albert aside and opened the door.If you go,Blackwell, Charles called, I won't let you change your mind. Iwon't invite you to another one of these.Henry did not turnaround. Thanks for your hospitality, he
snarled. He stormed outof the room, Martin close behind him. They exited the party room intothe hallway and Henry made a wrong turn somehow, taking the servicestairs and ending up in the kitchen, and one of the scullery maidshad to find them a footman to get their hats and coats and see themout the door.It was bitterlycold. His nose began to run almost immediately. He wanted to crushMartin to him, to protect him and hold him close, but they were on apublic thoroughfare and so he could do nothing of the kind. He walkedfaster. The thought that anyone else might touch Martin, and thatthey might do so callously, was completely unacceptable. Louis hadbeen right: these were not his kind of parties.Sir? Sir?What is it?II wouldn'tmind, Sir. If you want.What?If you wanted togo back, Sir, I...would understand. This sort of thing...I knew itcould happen. It's well-known that gentlemen have these sorts ofparties after all, Sir.Incredulous, Henrycame to a dead stop under a streetlight. What? You wouldn't mind?Martin was just as bad as the rest of them! I mind, Martin!You...you matter to me. He took hold of Martin's shouldersand gave him a good shake.Martin pushed hisglasses up his nose. Sir, I only meantIt's bad enoughthere were men before me, Martin. There aren't going to be anyothers after me.Of course, Sir.Henry strode off,and Martin hurried to catch up. And why the hell would I wantto go back? he demanded. What possible reason would I have?Martin appeared tobe choosing his words carefully. It's just that the boys you knownow will be your business associates in the future, Sir, and thesesorts of activities bond boys together. It may be advantageous in thefuture, Sir, is what I'm saying.Henry understoodwhat he was talking about, but he didn't care. The idea that he mightsomeday lose out on a business deal because he hadn't let a friendfuck Martin's mouth when they were 16 seemed of no importance at all.It doesn't matter to me, Martin. They're all careless and selfish,even Louis. I would never let them use you.Just so long asyou know, Sir. I wasn't sure you understood the implications, seeingas how Mr. Blackwell is such an iconoclastA what?A uniqueindividual, Sir. A self-made man. Mr. Blackwell wasn't brought upunderstanding how things are done in high society, if you don't mindme saying so.It was true thatFather hadn't had the experiences with Timothy that Henry was havingwith Martin. Father had no idea how to grow up richat Henry's age,Father had been out west, sleeping in the rough and riding the rails,just like someone in a story. Father had known how to take care ofhimselfhe'd had to, of course; he hadn't had a slave then.Thank you forconsidering my welfare, Sir, Martin said softly. I appreciatehow much you care for me.Henry bumped himwith his shoulder in place of the embrace he wanted to give him. Theywalked the rest of the way home in companionable quiet. At the house,Paul let them in, glassy-eyed and smelling of alcohol.Henry shrugged offhis coat into Paul's hands and turned to Martin. Is he drunk? Arethe slaves having a party? Did you
at the center of the structure andspewed forth red stars. The maids and Johnny waved lit sparklers.Henry yawned. It wasvery cold and he wanted to curl up with Martin and sleep. He nudgedMartin and turned for the door, and they went inside and up thestairs. Martin undressed him and he climbed into bed naked. Martinundressed himself, put on his pajamas, and took their laundrydownstairs. When he returned, he stripped off the pajamas and gotunder the covers.Do you have anyNew Year's resolutions, Henry? Martin whispered, stroking Henry'shair.Henry turned to rubhis cold nose against Martin's chest and nestled closer. Hmm. Tohave more sex, he suggested. Martin snickered. To be braver,maybe.What do youmean?Not to worry somuch about what everyone thinks. Not to worry so much about whethereveryone will figure out that I'm some sort of queer.I'm sure itdoesnt matter, Martin said. You're going to be a veryimportant man one day.I dont careabout being important, Henry insisted. I dont care aboutbusiness or society. None of that matters. You matter, ustogether. Thats all I care about. He lifted his head offof Martin's chest so he might look him in the eye, defiant.Martin chuckled andeased his head back down with soothing strokes. All right, Henry.I believe you.What about you?What are your resolutions?Might I alsoresolve to have more sex? They both laughed. But, really, all Iwant to do is to make you glad you chose me for your own. I neverwant you to regret that, Henry.Henry could notimagine any circumstance that would make him seriously unhappy withMartin. I won't, Henry promised him. I could never regretit.Henry made a furtherresolution, though he didnt share it with Martin: he resolved tofind a way to tell Martin how he felt in the new year. Sometimes heimagined that it was obvious, that Martin already knew. After all,hed given Martin his heart the moment hed laid eyes on him. Ithad been foolish and reckless, but hed had no choice, and hedidnt regret it, couldnt possibly. He hesitated to lay himselfbare, however, without feeling more certain Martin would reciprocate.How horrible it would be to risk declaring his feelings only to haveMartin hesitate, look embarrassed for him, and say, Youre sucha kind master, Sir. Im very lucky, his pity devastating.But even if Martinwere to say the words back to him, risks of a different sort wouldentail. If his love was returned, he was sure the joy of it wouldspill out of him. If he was showing love with every glance, everyutterance, exposure and humiliation seemed inevitable. More thananything, he wanted to be stalwart and brave and face his fears ofridicule because Martin deserved a man who was bold and unafraid, butthey had to be safe, too, and Henry didnt trust his owndiscretion.His gut and heartargued for a dramatic, romantic declaration, and the sooner thebetter, but he knew it would be risky, at best. Martin, who was verystrict about proper behavior outside of the bedroom, might notappreciate any such ardent proclamation anyway. The person who wouldbest be able to tell him whether or not it was a good idea to say thewords was Martin himself, but obviously