Things that Boys Can Do

30 June 1936:

A beautiful evening finds Lukas and Evan out on der Spree. The wind is fresh on their faces as their shell sliced through the water. Pulling in unison felt almost like flying, with the sun setting like a rainbow behind the buildings of der Mitte district in central Berlin.

At twilight they brought their shell in and exited onto the dock. They put their sweeps into the bins placed there for that purpose.

“Hands on!” Evan shouted. They placed their hands on the shell. “Inside grip, to heads, ready, up!” They pushed the shell over the heads, “Heads up!” and slowly walked the shell and placed it carefully into the racks inside the Rowing Clubhouse.

Walking towards the changeroom Evan asked, “So, did you graduate from Oberschule today, Lukas?”

“Ja, I finished the exams and got my Abitur certificate and everything.”

“Gut for you! What will you do now?”

“For now, I will focus on our rowing, after that who knows?”

As they changed into their street clothes, Lukas eyed the heavily-muscled boy up-and-down. “Look, Mutter is at Kaftan tonight.”

“Your Mutter sings at that place? Entartete Musik! Degenerates!” Evan exclaimed.

“Some is, some is not,” shaking his dark head. “I think Mutter uses it as her soapbox to rail against the current state of the world. Would you like to come over?”

Staring openly at Lukas’ tightly-muscled chest and abdomen he said, “Ja, that could be fun.”

Since they were the last rowers out that evening, Evan locked the doors to the Rowing Clubhouse with his passepartout. They walked the few blocks through Horst-Wessel-Stadt to the flat side-by-side. They climbed the stairs as Schatten looked up at the boys from the landing, meowing.

“Cute cat!”

“Ja, that is Schatten. He adopted our building last summer. He is always looking for a treat. Mutter always makes sure that he has something to eat and a place to curl up,” as he opened the door. “Mutter are you here?” No answer. The boys had the flat to themselves.

Looking back, he said to Evan, “The salon is in the front. Would you like some water or a Weiss beer?”

“Sure, a Weiss beer is always nice on a hot summer night.”

“I’ll grab two cold ones from the icebox and meet you at the front.”

He found Evan standing in the middle of the salon, looking at the schalmei. Lukas handed him a Weiss beer. “Some of the mates in my youth group can play the schalmei. Me, I have no musical talent at all. I think my talents lie elsewhere.” He winked at Lukas.

Lukas went to put a record on the Victrola:

In the heavens, stars are dancing and the mountain moon is new.

What a rare night for romancing, mind if I make love to you?

Since the dear day of our meeting, I’ve wanted to tell you all I long to do.

Dawn is nearing, time is fleeting, mind if I make love to you?

If you let me, I’ll endeavour to persuade you I’m your party for two.

And from then on, you will never mind if I make love to you.[1]

He turned around to see Evan sprawled on the sofa with a Scheisse-eating grin on his face. Putting his Weiss beer down, Lukas kissed him full on the lips. Their kisses became more urgent and then they pulled off their shirts. Evan ran his hands down his torso and unbuttoned his dungarees. He trailed kisses down his chest, paying special attention to his nipples, which stiffened under the attention. Then he went lower and pulled Lukas’ member out of his dungarees. He took him into his warm mouth and Lukas became even harder, his lips and tongue making him pulse. “Not here, let’s go to my bedroom.”

Evan followed him down the hall into his bedroom. Lukas pulled the curtain across the entrance and they dropped the rest of their clothes onto the floor. Evan crawled onto the small bed and Lukas came up from behind. He spread his firm cheeks and pushed the head of his member in between. “Nein, spit on it first!” Lukas spit on his rigid member and eased slowly into him. Nothing else had ever felt so good in his life!

He grabbed the sides of Evan’s broad torso and began rocking his hips back and forth, as Evan moaned in pleasure. His small bed creaked with the motion and the weight of the two boys.

With their pleasure building he whispered into Evan’s ear, “Do you like that?” “Ja! Turn me over now, I want to look into your eyes.” Lukas rolled him over onto his back, braced himself on his arms and slid back inside.

Evan locked his piercing blue eyes on his black eyes, and then Lukas thrust faster. Unable to hold off his mounting pleasure any longer, Lukas grunted and spilled his seed deep inside the boy. Evan was next, shooting hot ropes all over their stomachs.

Lukas collapsed against his broad chest until their breathing slowed. Then he went into the lavatory to clean himself up. He returned with a warm towel to see Evan filling most of his small bed. Wiping him off he said, “I must get a bigger bed.”

“Ja!” Evan said and made room for him to curl up against his broad chest. “Was that your first time Lukas?”

“Oh yes! I have been thinking about this for a long time, ever since I saw you at the clubhouse and then borrowed your magazine.” He laughed into Evan’s chest.

“Have you always liked boys?”

“Pretty much, yes. You?”

“I had a Fraulein for awhile, but she never made me feel the way the boys at rowing did.”

“I understand.”

“Well, I guess I should go.”

“Ja, Mutter will be home soon and I don’t want her to catch us like this.”

Evan gathered his things scattered around and dressed. “Do you want to do this again sometime Lukas?” he asked with a smirk.

“Oh yes, there are so many things I want to try out from that magazine with you!”

“Gut!”

“Will you be alright? It is really dark out there.” “Ja, I will grab a train at Warschauer station.” They kissed sloppily at the door and then Evan went out into the night.

The Chosen Ones

Late July 1936:

Lukas and Evan waited impatiently in their shell for the start of the mock race that will decide which coxless pair team goes to the Olympic Games. The morning is cool as the sun begins to rise over the buildings in Horst-Wessel-Stadt. Tendrils of fog lift from the surface of the water around them and the other teams. There is little traffic on der Spree at this time on a Sunday morning, planned as such by the Rowing Master to ensure that their mock race is not interrupted by vessel traffic.

The Race Starter looked out from the dock, pointing a megaphone at them. “Rowers at the catch, get set, ROW!” He shouted at them through the megaphone. Lukas started his pocket-watch and the pair pulled their sweeps smoothly together to bring themselves up to racing speed.

Evan, in the stern of the shell, kept the pair in time and on pace with the three other teams. In the bow, Lukas looked behind him to sight the middle of the Oberbaumbrucke, where the Rowing Master, in his pilot boat, had set up the finish line of their mock race.

The four teams are evenly paced. Evan shouted “Power 20!” The pair piled on the power, putting their entire bodies into it. Their shell crossed the finish line first, with the other teams trailing by only a few seconds. Lukas stopped his watch. Breathing heavily, he looked at Evan. “A new personal record for us!”

“Gut!” He looked back, trying to catch his breath also.

The Rowing Master looked at the four teams from the pilot boat and pronounced, “Lukas and Evan are chosen to represent Germany in Olympiad XI!” Pointing to the second-place team, “You boys don’t plan on any summer holidays to Ruegen Island, or anything. You will be their backup; in case something happens to them.” He laughed.

“Fixed! Fixed!” Their rowing mates shouted. “Herr Rowing Master you chose your own Helfer!”

“Ach, sour grapes, boys! Feel free to take up your beef with Herr Hitler!” He roared back at them.

Olympiad XI

1 August 1936:

A shortwave radio at the back of a bookshop in Hackesche Hofe: “The Olympic torch, designed and manufactured by Germany’s very own Krupp Industries, is even now being carried through the streets of Berlin to the Olympiastadion. Soon the Olympic cauldron shall be lit from it, heralding the opening of Olympiad XI. This is the first time the torch relay has been run in the Olympics, since the days of the ancient Greeks. In addition to the Olympic torch, our listeners should know that the Olympiastadion, with seating for over 100,000 spectators, has been designed to stand for generations to come by Herr Albert Speer, architect of the Third Reich…”

Outside the stadium, athletes from fifty countries lined up along Tunnel Weg, awaiting their turn to enter. Greece is the first country to enter and Germany, being the host country, is the last. Lukas and Evan waited in anticipation as the Hindenburg dirigible floated in lazy circles above the stadium, with the Olympic Rings painted on its fuselage. They watched as the sun began to set behind the Glockenturm belltower in a bright orange ball.

Finally, it is their turn and Lukas and Evan moved forward in lockstep with the rest of the German Olympic team. They entered a long tunnel which echoed wildly with the sounds of the crowd inside the stadium. Eventually they emerged onto the floor of the stadium proper, thousands of throats roaring at them, manifesting as a physical force beating against their chests. They marched proudly in their German Olympic team uniforms, hand-in-hand, hearts pounding and waving to the immense crowd. The German national anthem is barely audible over the loudspeakers. Taking their place with the rest of their team, they watched as the Olympic torch was borne down the centre of the stadium, held high.

An announcement on the stadium loudspeakers: “Herren and Damen, bitte direct your attention to Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler, who will officially open the Olympic Games for us!” The crowd slowly settled down to hear what Hitler will say.

From the box purpose-built for the German government, Hitler stood up and pronounced, “Herren and Damen of the world, we welcome you to Berlin! We believe that the sportive, knightly battle of the Olympic Games awakens the best human characteristics. It doesn’t separate, but unites the combatants in understanding and respect. It also helps to connect the countries in the spirit of peace. That is why the Olympic Flame should never die.”

That was the cue for the torchbearer to dip the Olympic torch into the oil in the Olympic cauldron. The cauldron roared to life.

Looking at the Olympic Flame and raising his arms, Hitler proclaimed, “I Call the Youth of the World to compete in friendly competition, and hereby open the Olympic Games of Berlin, celebrating the eleventh Olympiad of the modern era! Release the doves!” The crowd looked up as thousands of white doves were released into the twilight sky above the stadium.

“Watch out for the bird-Scheisse!” Evan grinned at Lukas.

“Dummkopf!” Lukas shouted back.

The roar from the crowd rocked the Olympiastadion to its very foundations as the athletes filed out in reverse order, with Germany leading the way.

…

13 August 1936:

The day of the rowing competition dawned beautifully. Lukas joined Evan at Hallesches Tor transfer station and they continued on the U-Bahn together to Ruhleben station. It was the last stop on the line and the closest to the Olympic Rowing Basin complex. They changed into their German rowing team singlets in the changeroom and then went out to find their Rowing Master.

He came up to them and said, “You two are seeded to compete for Germany in Heat 3.” He proceeded to explain the qualifying process to them. “The winning team from each qualifying heat advances directly to the final round. The remainder of the teams compete in the semi-final round. Stay well out of the way until you are called.”

“Jawohl.” Lukas and Evan sat at the sidelines and watched the first two heats. Russia won Heat 1 and Heat 2 went to les Américains.

“Rowers for Heat 3 advance to the rowing basin!” is announced over the loudspeakers. Lukas and Evan walked up to their lane and got into their shell, being held in place by one of the referees. Evan glanced back at Lukas once, “For Germany!”

“Jawohl, Evan!”

Over the loudspeakers “Rowers at the catch, get set, ROW!”

The referee let go of their shell and Evan began to set their pace. They are in a good lane, near the middle of the rowing basin. Lukas sighted back to the finish line at the other end of the basin, then to his right and left. On their right is Great Britain and Austria, with Argentina to their left.

“Der Engländers are pulling ahead of us, Lukas. Power Ten!” They picked up their pace and slowly began creeping up on Great Britain. Lukas can see the finish line a mere 100 metres ahead. The two teams are neck-and-neck. With one last great pull of their sweeps, their shell crossed the finish line only a scant few seconds ahead of Great Britain. “We did it! We made it to the finals!” Lukas wrapped his arms around Evan’s waist. Evan bent down to kiss his forearm.

They got out of their shell and waved to the crowd before climbing onto the stadium shuttle with the other teams, bringing them back the race start. Evan looked over at Lukas, “Since we have time before the finals, why don’t we look around the Reichssportfeld a bit?”

“Jawohl, and we should find somewhere to eat, also.” The pair changed back into their street clothes and wandered down Friesen Allee from the rowing basin complex. The little street ran in between the cycling velodrome and the track-and-field pitches, with various events in progress. They turned left at the Maifeld and watched from behind the fence as the sleek horses and riders were being put through their paces in the Equestrian events.

Next, they sat side-by-side in the stands at the Schwimmstadion and took in some of the swimming events. Evan lit a cigarette while they watched the men’s 400 metre freestyle relay. “Lots of beautiful men down there, huh Lukas?”

Lukas can see the men waiting on deck at the head of each lane are wearing very tight swim trunks, barely covering their hips and upper thighs. “Ja! Maybe we should have taken up swimming instead!” He laughed.

The smell of food wafting from a building close by grabbed their attention. “How about we get something to eat, Evan? My stomach is grumbling. Didn’t eat much before leaving the flat this morning.” Lukas said.

“Jawohl.” They walked over to the Dining Hall of the Nations, adjacent to the swimming stadium. “Look, Evan, there is l’Américain Jesse Owens getting into the cafeteria lineup.” Lukas pointed at the tall black man. “He won four gold medals in track earlier this week!”

The boys queued up behind and waited their turn to order lunch. The dining hall’s menu is displayed on a large sign above the food counters. The server eyed them. “Bitte, what would you like me to get for you?”

Looking at the menu, Lukas said, “I will have the bratwurst and sauerkraut special, with a glass of Riesling.”

“Very good, sir. And for yourself?”

“That sounds Gut! I will have the same.” Evan replied.

The boys collected their trays and handed some marks to the cashier. Jesse Owens sat by himself at a long trestle table. “Please, Herr Owens, would you mind if we sat at your table?” Evan asked in English.

“Not at all, be my guest, boys!” He drawled. As they sat down, he asked them, “So what sport are you competing in?”

“Coxless pair,” they replied in unison, taking the first bites of their lunch.

“Wow, I am impressed. That is not an easy sport. You boys must have good rhythm!”

“Oh, we do.” Evan looked at Lukas and laughed.

“How do you like our city?” Lukas asked Jesse.

“Berlin is an absolutely beautiful city. There is so much history to it and so much to see. I am already planning to come back someday!”

“Danke, Herr Owens.”

“Please boys, call me Jesse. There is no need for Herr this and Herr that with me.”

Evan, knowing that the German government had cleaned up the city before the athletes arrived, asked, “Jesse, do you feel as comfortable here as you do in America?”

“I have felt very welcomed by the German people. You boys must know that my own country has had its share of race relation issues. There is still much work to be done since our emancipation by President Lincoln in the Civil War. Some of my countrymen seem to have forgotten the lessons of our recent past.”

“Ja! Our countries have something to learn for each other.”

“Indeed, we do. I must say I was encouraged by Chancellor Hitler’s sentiments at the opening ceremony the other night.”

As they rose to take their empty plates from the table, Jesse shook hands with each of them in turn. “Well, I wish you boys good luck and glory for Germany!”

“Danke, Jesse!” The pair retraced their steps side-by-side to the rowing basin and watched the remaining semi-final heats.

…

Much later that afternoon the final heat is called. “Rowers for the final round advance to the rowing basin!” is announced over the loudspeakers. Lukas and Evan walked up to their lane and got into their shell. Lukas said to Evan’s back, “The Russian team looks formidable, Evan! They are even bigger than you, if that is even possible!”

“Ja. We are in a good lane beside them in the middle of the pack, but that may not be enough.” He whispered to Lukas. “We need to start as strong as possible and then keep them in our wash for the rest of the race.”

Over the loudspeakers: “Rowers at the catch, get set, ROW!”

The referee let go of their shell and Evan shouted “In 2, High Ten!” setting their pace very hard right from the start. A risky manoeuvre which could easily put them out of the race if they stall or run out of steam before reaching the finish line. “It is working! Evan, we are pulling ahead of the Russians and the other teams!” He can see the look of surprise on their faces. Their gambit was completely unexpected.

“Settle and even pressure!” They pulled their sweeps powerfully for the remainder of the race and heard the horn sound as they crossed the finish line first. “Easy!” Heads down in their shell and breathing heavily, they heard the announcement on the loudspeakers, “Gold goes to Germany, Silver to Russia and Bronze for Great Britain!”

Back on dry land, Evan pulled Lukas close and kissed him full on the lips. They pressed their sweaty bodies together to hide the obvious arousal growing in their singlets.

…

A shortwave radio at the back of a bookshop in Hackesche Hofe: “Germany has won Gold today in rowing! The coxless pair, rowed by Lukas and Evan, brought glory to Germany by beating out the Russians, the British and les Américains, who were the runners-up in the final heat…”

A tow-headed boy glanced at the radio with a look of profound regret in his big brown eyes.

…

Late that evening, two young men stood tall on the podium in the Olympiastadion, one dark-haired and the other blond by his side, in their smart German Olympic team uniforms. The Master of Ceremonies settled gold medals onto their chests, as the German flag is raised and the national anthem is played on the loudspeakers:

Unity and justice and freedom, for the German fatherland!

Towards these let us all strive, brotherly with heart and hand!

Unity and justice and freedom, are the safeguards of fortune, flourish in the radiance of this fortune, flourish, German fatherland!

Flourish in the radiance of this fortune, flourish, German fatherland!

They displayed their medals proudly to the crowd gathered around them.

…

Lukas and Evan returned very late by U-Bahn to the flat in Horst-Wessel-Stadt. “Mutter should be asleep. Bitte, try to be quiet so that she doesn’t wake up.” Lukas used his passepartout to open the door to the flat.

“No promises.” Evan winked as Lukas pulled the curtain across his bedroom alcove. Evan pulled Lukas close and they began kissing. Lukas probed Evan’s mouth with his tongue and ran his hands along his back. Both of them started to get hard.

Lukas pulled Evan’s shirt over his head and then unbuttoned his dungarees. Evan made to remove his gold medal. “Nein!” He whispered, “Leave it on!” Evan smirked. He stood tall as Lukas began licking his chest and erect nipples underneath the medal. Lukas trailed his hand below to find Evan at full attention. “Look, you are so beautiful, Evan!” Lukas stroked his hard member with his fist and licked his tongue down his abdomen. Evan began moaning. He tossed his dungarees aside with a flick of his thick calves.

Kneeling in front of Evan, his dungarees pooled around his feet, Lukas took him into his mouth and wrapped his lips around the mushroom head, sucking sensually. “Ah, Lukas, that feels so good. Your mouth is so hot!” Popping his member out of his mouth, he wrapped his hand around it and then pulled one ball and then the other into his mouth, rolling them around with his tongue. “Ah, ah, Lukas!”

He licked the underside of Evan’s member and then put it all the way in, massaging it with his throat muscles. He reached up and began twisting a nipple between thumb and forefinger. Evan said, “Ah! Whatever it is that you are doing, keep it up and I swear I will spill!”

“Do it now!” Evan gasped and bucked his hips, sending a cascade of juice down Lukas’ throat. At the same moment, Lukas spilled in his dungarees. “Mmm, that was good!” Lukas whispered, licking the salty liquid from his lips.

Lying naked on his small bed enjoying the afterglow, Lukas asked Evan, “What will you do now, mein gold medal winner, continue with your rowing career somehow?”

Looking at him with his piercing blue eyes, Evan said, “I have been thinking a lot about this. Lukas, I want to be with you. I think we should join up together with the Brownshirts.”

“You do, do you,” trailing his fingers across his broad chest. “That will be much harder work than practicing for the Olympic Games, you know.”

“Ja, but think about all of the hot, sweaty men we can meet!” Evan joked. Then, more seriously, “I know someone in my youth group who may be able to introduce us.”

“Alright… if you really want to, Evan,” he replied. “It is not like I have much else to do now, anyway.”

“Gut! I will go see him tomorrow, then.” He put his hand down below and felt Lukas getting hard again. “My turn,” he whispered at Lukas as he trailed his tongue down his muscled stomach.

The boys curled up together and fell asleep in Lukas’ small bed, exhausted from their glorious day and ardent lovemaking.

…

They were awakened the next morning when Gertrude pulled the curtain back.

“Vergib mir, Mutter. We were so tired from yesterday.” Lukas blinked up at her.

“This is not a problem, Luka. You are a man, are you not?”

“Are you surprised to see a boy in my bed, Mutter?”

Gertrude laughed, “Why should I be surprised that you like boys, my Luka? There is nothing wrong with homophil love. At least you won’t be bringing any babies into this wretched world. The only thing that surprises me is how big your friend is!” She put her hand out to Evan lying beside Lukas in the small bed. “I’m Gertrude.”

Pulling the covers over his hips to hide his indecency, Evan said, “Nice to meet you Gertrude, I am Evan.” He poked his big hand out from under the covers and shook hers very gently.

“Oh, that’s not anything that I haven’t seen before, Evan.” Thinking for a moment she added, “Although it has been a while, I suppose.” She shook her head to clear the thought. “Ach, do the German rowing champions wish their breakfast, then?” Rolling her eyes, “You boys must be starving after all of your exertions yesterday!”

[1] Mind If I Make Love to You, by Cole Porter.

Next Chapter: Interlude - U-Bahn Map