thegoodfellas/blogset-br huggingface dataset:
if thats what you mean, Sir.Henry snorted. Icertainly dont have that talent, he remarked. Im veryboring compared to Jesse, arent I?Youre notboring at all, Sir, Martin reassured him. Youre notas...dramatic as Mr. Wilton, but dramatic people can be very tiring.Henry leaned overand laid his head on Martins thigh and Martin petted his hair.After a few quietminutes, Martin said, Your uncle is just as you described him,Sir. I can see why youve always loved him so.I was afraid hewould hate me, Henry admitted. After what Jesse said.There may be moreto the story, Sir. I dont think you should take all the blamewithout first talking to your uncle, or even your father.I cant talk tomy father about anything, Henry scoffed. Hes the one whosent Reggie away. He didnt want to argue with Martin about hisfather. Im glad you like Reggie.Benjamin islovely, as well, Sir.You noticed hesfrom Ganymede, I assume.Yes, Sir.It surprised meto see Benjamin in regular clothes, Henry told him. I thinkIve mentioned before that Uncle Reggie used to dress him up like aprince in a fairytale, and kept his hair in these long ringlets...hereally stood out. They both did.Well, why not,Sir? Your uncle is the kind of man who cant disguise what he is,anyway, I think. With me, its not quite so obvious. Of course,theres no real stigma for a slave, Sir.What about me?No one wouldguess, Sir. They would have to see how you are with me in private tohave the least inkling.What aboutJesse? Then, before Martin could answer, Henry said, No, wait.I think bohemian covers it. He laughed and lifted his headoff of Martins leg. I feel calmed down now. He dared to takeMartins hand and gave his fingers a brief squeeze. I should tryto talk to Uncle Reggie again, I think. Henry got up out of thechair. Lets go down and find him.Reggie wasnt inthe parlor with the ladies, nor was he in the library with the men.Father wasnt there, either. Henry spotted Uncle Gilbert in thecrowd and made his way over to him.Hello, UncleGilbert. Merry Christmas, sir.Henry! Why arentyou upstairs with the others? Everyones getting along, I hope?Everythingsfine, Uncle. Im looking for Uncle Reggie. I wanted to talk withhim some more, if he has time.Reggies inconference with your father, Uncle Gilbert said. Theyreusing my office. I dont think you should interrupt, though.Henry didnt thinkhe should, either. All right then. Ill wait. Thank you, Uncle.Its good tosee you, Henry. Youre so grown up now. A real young gentleman.Uncle Gilbert clapped him on the back and gave him a sort ofone-armed hug. Oh, theres Malcolm. I need to speak with him,Henry, if you dont mind.No, thatsfine, Uncle. Ill find you later to say goodbye, at least.Thatd belovely, Henry, Uncle Gilbert said. Then, calling over Henrysshoulder, he said, Malcolm!Henry made his wayout of the smoky library into the hall. He wasnt sure if it was agood thing that Father and Reggie were talking or not. Was Fathergoing to send Reggie back to Italy? What would Mother do if he did?She seemed so happy in Reggies presence. And what about Henryhimself? Not only had
Henry missed Reggies kindness and the colorhe had brought into his world, but if Reggie was a fairy, as Henrywas quite certain he was, then he might be the one person Henry couldtalk to about his own situation.They wandered idlyabout the house. The slaves were busy in the dining room, removingall the leaves from the long dining table and setting up card tablesso that the family might play euchre. Henry watched them work,loitering at the sideboard and picking all of the chocolates out of adish of candy.Can I get youanything, Sir? Martin asked. Something to drink, perhaps?Henry shook hishead. Im all right. Thanks, Martin. He handed Martin achocolate drop that was only a little melted from the heat of hishand and Martin ate it readily, which Henry found peculiarly erotic.He loved that all he need do was offer something, anything, andMartin would take it willingly into his body, whether it be food,drink, or some part of Henry himself.It was amazing tohim that hed only known Martin these past four months and yet feltabout him the way he did. It truly felt as if Martin were essentialto Henrys very existence. He thought of his mother, bereft afterthe loss of her brother. How would he feel if Martin was takenaway? Oh, it was too horrible to think about! He just needed tocontinue to exercise caution, keep all signs of his outsizedattachment hidden.The ladies began todrift out of the parlor and towards the card tables. Mother wastalking animatedly to Aunt Virginia and, though she leaned on Pearlsarm, she seemed less of a dragging burden than usual.Henry, darling!she called out. Have you seen your Uncle Reggie?Hello, Mother.Henry stepped away from the sideboard and greeted her with a littlebow. I believe hes with Father, he told her. Thatswhat Uncle Gilbert said.Oh. Motherstopped short, blinking. Oh. I hope thats good news. Hermouth trembled and she forced a smile.Aunt Virginia pattedher arm. Im sure it will all be fine, she said soothingly.Try not to worry, Louisa, dear.Mother looked asthough she might cry. Pearl, she said. Do you have mymedicine?Right here,Maam, Pearl said, reaching into her dress pocket. She turned toAunt Virginia and asked, Might we have some tea for Mrs.Blackwell, please, Maam?Mother was led tothe settee that had been pushed into the corner to make way for thecard tables and a slave was sent for tea. Mothers lady relativesgathered protectively around her and there was no need for Henry tobe there, none at all. Come on, he said, with a jerk of hischin, and Martin followed him from the room.In the library, themen were leaving their cigars to smolder in the ashtrays andswallowing the last of their drinks, readying themselves to join theladies at cards. Father stood champing on a cigar and talking toUncle Gilbert and a few of Mothers cousins, all of whom seemedinterested in and attentive to whatever he had to say. Father mightnot be the most well-liked person, but Henry knew that he wasinvariably right about business matters. That didnt mean, however,that he was necessarily right about other things.Father saw Henrythrough the crowd and waved him
over. The adults parted to let Henryjoin their circle. Has this been a merry Christmas for you, son?It was, for so manyreasons, none of which would likely meet with Fathers approval.Henry decided to admit it anyway. Yes, sir. Very happy. Hewanted to ask where Uncle Reggie had gone, but hadnt the nerve. Hedid look about furtively but did not see Reggie anywhere, thoughReggie was short enough that he might easily be lost in a crowd.Father had known atonce what he was doing. If youre looking for Reggie, hesgone to find your mother.Henry wanted toimmediately go after him, but feared making Father angry. He stoodlooking guilty and discomfited until Father laughed at him somewhatruefully and waved him off. Go on, he said. Go find him. Idont think Reggie can do you any harm at this point.Very good, sir.Henry turned and rushed from the library, Martin on his heels.Once again, Reggiesat beside Mother on a settee, holding her hand while she cried. WhenReggie looked up and saw Henry, he brightened and smiled. Henry!Darling boy! Come here and sit with us.Henry wended his waybetween the card tables. My father, Henry began, slightly outof breath. What did he say to you?Reggie reached upand patted his arm. You dont need to worry about that.But are you goingto stay? Henry desperately needed to know, for his own sake andfor Mothers sake.I have some lastbits of business to attend to in Italy, Reggie told him, but Ican come home for good after that.Really?Really andtruly, Reggie affirmed. Now, sit. Sit and let me get to knowyou again.Henry pulled up achair from the nearest card table and sat with his knees bumpingagainst his uncles. With a glance over his shoulder, he saw thatMartin was right there behind his chair, his hand resting on theback.What do you wantto know, Uncle?Oh, everything,darling! Reggie leaned forward and patted Henrys wrist. Doyou have a lot of friends? You were so friendly with that roughlittle boy down the street when you were young? Do you still knowhim?Thats LouisBriggs. Hes still my best friend.He was certainlya noisy child, so boisterous and rowdy, like a little terrier! He hada great number of siblings, as I recall.There are sevenBriggs kids now.Oh, my! I knowyour father wanted a big family, but seven children just seemsso unnecessary to me, darling. Reggie shook his head,seeming dismayed by the prospect. Do you have a lot of otherfriends?Well, there areeighteen boys in my class, including me, and Im friends witheleven of them.Those others arecompletely beneath notice, Im sure! Reggie patted his armagain. And of course youre all new slave owners this year.Thats been exciting!Henry blushed tothink how exciting it had been. Im very happy with my choice,he said. Martin is a really good slave.Was he a Superiorboy? My Benjy was Superior, too. Ganymede boys truly are thebest, dont you think? Reggie smiled at Henry, then directed asmile at Martin. Turning to Henry again, he said, Tell me, darlingboy, what do you do for fun?Er...Obviously, Henry wasnt going to mention sex, though this wascertainly what came immediately to mind. Well, I like to readYou always
children, and Cora adores him, so Ive been paying moreattention to her than I did before.How fortunate forCora. She seems a delightful child. Very outgoing. She was telling meall about some circus you gave her?Martin picked itout, Henry confessed. It was important to him that Reggieunderstand how special Martin was, how vital to Henrys happiness,but he couldnt just come out and say that.But Reggie must havehad a sense. He smiled up at Martin and said, The right slavemakes such a difference, darling. I think youre very lucky.While they talked,the men had come into the room and people were sitting down at thetables. A chair was brought in from another room to replace the oneHenry had taken. Father stood in the wide doorway to the dining roomtalking to Uncle Gilbert. He sent Timothy over to inform them thattheyd be taking their leave imminently and an additional slave wasdispatched to fetch Cora and Nurse from the nursery.I need to saygoodbye to Jesse, Henry said, standing reluctantly.Its good youboys like each other so well. Reggie smiled up at him. Idalways hoped you would.Henry knocked onJesses door and a few moments later Russ opened it. Come in,Sir.Both Jesse and Elilounged on the floor looking rumpled and indolent, but they wereclothed, and the slaves were at least half-clothed. Lyle lolled onthe bed, seemingly asleep.Are you leaving,then? Jesse stood and stretched. Lets try to see one anotheragain before next Christmas, all right? He stepped forward andhugged Henry and said, Id like to know you better, Henry. Werealmost grown. Surely we wont have to do what your father wantsforever?Henry wasnt assure, but he didnt say so. I always like seeing you, Jesse.He shook Elishand, and Lyle was roused so that he might also shake Henrys hand.Martin said his goodbyes to the slaves.Downstairs, whileslaves hurried to bring out their coats, Mothers male cousinsshook Fathers hand and thanked him for the advice he had given.Reggie hugged Cora, Henry and Mother, and then shook Fathers handvery solemnly, and it was like watching a wary housecat touch pawswith a bear.In the Wiltonscarriage returning home, Henry toyed with the fringe of the curtainand thought about what it might be like to have Uncle Reggie aroundagain, now that he was nearly an adult. He might be able to see UncleReggie independent of either of his parents. He might convince UncleReggie to show him the secrets of the city and the places where hemight be at ease around other people like himself, because surelythey existed, both the places and the people.At home, Motherneeded a lie-down after the excitement of the day, and Henry boldlyfollowed Father to his dressing room, hoping that Father mightconfirm for him what was going to happen in regard to Uncle Reggie,but Father didnt have time for that, as he was running late for adinner engagement and needed to change.Timothy began tostrip Father efficiently. Father glowered at Henry. Dont botherme, Henry. Dont worry, youll have your uncle.He gets to stay,right, sir? Youre not making him leave again?Lips pressed into anexasperated line, Father gave Henry a sidelong look and said, Ivealready told you so,
Henry. I made a mistake, son. Ill do my bestto rectify it. Theres no need to talk it to death. He lookeddown and stepped into his dress trousers, balancing with a hand onTimothys shoulder. Now, let me dress in peace.Martin, who hadknown better than to follow Henry inside, stood in the hall waitingfor him. They made their way quickly to Henrys room, where Henrytook Martins face between his hands and kissed him hungrily asMartin struggled to engage the doors lock. For hours, hegasped between kisses. For hours Ive wanted to do this.Martin broke awayand began stripping off his clothes. He smiled at Henry, wicked,showing teeth. You were watching your cousin, werent you,Henry? Watching the way he treats Russ, like a favorite pet.It was making mecrazy, Henry agreed. He doesnt even try to hide what hesdoing, but no one seems to notice! He tossed his tie on the floorand went to work on his collar.But younoticed. Fully naked, Martin came to stand in front of Henry andslipped his braces from his shoulders. I saw you watching Russlick your cousins fingers and it made you hard, didnt it? Hepressed the palm of his hand against the front of Henrys trousersover his stiffening prick.Yes, Henryadmitted, his voice roughened by arousal.Youd like tobe like that with me, wouldnt you, Henry? Martin knelt to dealwith Henrys boots. Youd love to show everyone how nicely Ilick you, wouldnt you?Yes, Henrysaid again, petting Martins hair with both hands.Or would yourather have Russ lick you? You could have that instead, if youwanted. Martin reached for Henrys trouser buttons.Henrys cockjerked at the thought. No, he said, not sounding entirelycertain. I just want you.You wanted tostay and watch, though, didnt you? I could tell you didntreally want to leave. He nuzzled Henrys cock through hisdrawers, then unbuttoned them and slid them off his hips.I didnt wantto be tempted, Henry explained. I was afraid Id Hestopped speaking, unwilling to examine exactly what hed feared hemight do.Martin lickedHenrys cock and Henry swayed on his feet, a hand on top ofMartins head to steady himself. Martin took Henry all the way intohis mouth and pulled back with heavy suction, took him deep andsucked again. Henry closed his eyes and held more tightly to Martinshead, very aware of the shape of his skull, the muscles of his jawtensing under his fingertips. Martin pulled off his cock and Henryopened his eyes.All this licking,Henry, and talk about licking...would you do something for me? Youmight consider it a present.Henry smoothedMartins hair back from his face. What is it?Martin gave him asmile that was somehow devilish and pure all at once. Lick myass.Henry smiled back athim. Yes, of course. Get on the bed.Martin got on thebed and Henry knelt behind him, putting a hand between his shoulderblades and pushing him down to all fours. All the way down,Henry told him. Ass up. Martin dropped down to rest on hiselbows, his back arched. Henry put a hand on each of his ass cheeks,and pulled them apart, exposing his hole. He leaned over him and leta pendant of saliva fall from his
might have committed someterrible faux pashe didnt know the rules, after all.He sat on the bedfacing Martin, their knees touching. Hold out your hand.Should I close myeyes?If you want.Martin closed hiseyes, grinning, and gave a happy shudder. Henry took and held a deepbreath and put the talisman in Martins hand. He held it there withhis own hand, pressed between their palms.What is it,Henry? Can I look?You can look,Henry agreed, letting go of his hand.Hed gotten theidea when he saw the rock in the schoolyard, a pale, flattish diskthat hed thought would make a perfect Hetaeria protection stone.His first thought had been to give it to Martin to use for thatpurpose; his second thought was to make it into such a talisman forMartin himself. Martin had talismans from all his other friends, butsurely Henry was his most important relationship, and surely no otherfriend was as concerned with his well-being.Martin opened hiseyes and looked at the decorated stone. Henry? He looked alittle tentative, a little confused.If I did itwrong, Henry hurried to say, tell me, and Ill undo it, orfix it, or whatever needs to be done.Martins handcurled around the stone, just slightly, and he touched it gently witha fingertip. His tone was awed, a little unbelieving, when he said,You made this for me?I dont knowthe right symbols or anything, Henry admitted in a rush. And Ididnt have any paint, so its not pretty, but I just... Hesighed. I want you to have my protection, too, myfriendship. You told me the talismans represent relationships, so...sothis is me caring about you. He swallowed nervously and claspedhis hands tightly to keep them from shaking.Martin didnt sayanything, but traced the heavily-inked H on the stones face withhis index finger. Henry had done his best job with the lettering andit had turned out rather elegant. Hed also drawn somespiral curlicues around the edge of the disk and these were perhapsless artistically successful.If I did itwrong... Henry said again.No. Martinshook his head adamantly, and looked at Henry with wet, shining eyes.No, Henry, you did it perfectly. His smile was tremulous,joyous, and he got to his knees and leaned in to loop his arms aroundHenrys neck. Its so thoughtful of you, Henry! Soconsiderate. Its a perfect present. You really do care forme, dont you?Henry snorted. Morethan anything. He returned the embrace, full of happy relief thathe hadnt done anything inadvertently stupid.Martin was anawkward fit on Henrys lap, clinging fierce and insistent, allelbows and knees. His cheek was wet against Henrys neck.Martin? Are youcrying?Dont makefun, Martin said. Im happy. Im so happy you woulddo this for me, Henry.Henry lay back onthe bed and pulled Martin down with him. Im glad you like it.I love it.I never thought Id have a master like you, Henry. A friend likeyou. He kissed Henrys cheek, the corner of his mouth. Youreso good to me, Henry. I feel so lucky.Me, too, Henrytold him. He tasted the tears on Martins wet cheek, then kissedhis mouth. They necked for a bit, Martin squirming and making littleinsistent grunts as they did so, but Henry was content to do nothingmore
than kiss and Martin didnt press for more.Martin smoothedHenrys hair back from his forehead and smiled down at him.Bashfully, Martin said, Im sorry I dont have a present foryou.You can make atalisman for me sometime, Henry suggested. Only if you want to,of course.I will, Martindecided. Ill make you something really special.They lay in eachothers arms a few contented minutes and then Henrys stomachrumbled.Are you hungryyet? Henry asked. Did you get enough to eat at the Wiltons?I want some of that cake we had at breakfast.I want cake,too. Martin hesitated, then asked, Henry? Is it all right if Iput your talisman away?You have to,dont you? Youre not supposed to leave them out, right?Martin smiled. No,they shouldnt be left out. Let me just put yours with my others.Henry liked thatMartin was treating his offering just as hed treat any legitimateHetaeria talisman made by a slave who knew what he was doing. Henryfelt his was a gift where it was definitely the thought that counted,and Martin seemed to be taking the thought to heart.Martin went into hisroom with talisman in hand and returned in his pajamas and dressinggown. He helped Henry to dress and then they went down the backstairs to the kitchen. Many of the rest of the households slaveswere in the slaves mess room just off of the kitchen celebratingtheir own Christmas, and when Cook heard them shuffling around, shecame out to see what they wanted.Mr. Blackwell washoping for some more of your spice cake, Bertie, Martin said. Isthere any left from this morning?Ill just getthat for you directly, Sir, she said. And for you also,Martin?Yes, please.She cut them largesquares of cake and found them forks and napkins. Ill get you atray, and Ill send Billy up for it later.Thank you,Bertie. Could we also trouble you for some milk?Martin carried thetray up to their rooms. Henry was struck anew by how competent andimperturbable he was, what impeccable service he provided. He was sovery happy that Martin was his own, that hed have Martin as longas they both lived. They sat on the floor of his bedroom in front ofthe dying fire and ate their cake.Today waswonderful, Henry said. Everyone made me so happy. My uncle, mycousin, even my mother, and you most of all.What about yourfather, Henry? Hes letting your uncle stay, after all. You mustfeel a little pleased with his decision.Im more than alittle intimidated by my father, Henry admitted. Knowing what Iknow now, Im afraid of what would happen if he found out what Imreally like. Do you think hed want to be rid of me? Would I beexiled, too?Youreimportant to your father, Martin insisted. He wouldnt dothat.He might. Hemight replace me with little Calvin Murdock.He wouldnt.Martin was adamant about this. You are his legitimate son, Henry;youre his heir. He does have great expectations of you, but Idont believe he would ever throw you over.Henry felt like heknew his father better than Martin did, having sixteen yearsexperience of the man versus Martins few months. Then again,Martin was a keen observer, and thus far Martin had proven rightabout so many things.Your father