The Brotherhood of Trees

In an attempt to get in better shape, Matthew has taken to jogging in the woods behind his house with his two dogs. One morning he encounters a strange visitor to his woods: a boy, lost. He and his partner Fred never wanted kids, but Matthew forms a bond with the boy that he neglects to tell his partner about.

First published in Aeon SF, this is a story about aging, selflessness, and compassion.

Review:
"The protagonist and his partner are depicted with compassion and pathos, and not the over-the-top camp behavior many other authors use to depict gay characters. This, coupled with the neat backstory and polished prose, makes this a tale worth reading." — Tangent Online