Change in Affection

I adopted two cats about a month ago. They did not know eachother at the time but were introduced at the shelter prior to coming home. History on both indicated that they lived well with other cats in the past. Pete is alarge cat of 3 years. Bob is smaller of 10 years.
   
They do their fair share of playing/fighting, there is never blood but sometimes Bob will hiss at Pete. I think Pete just wants to play but sometimes Bob doesn't take it that way. After, I typically find them licking eachother so I figure there is nothing to worry about. They also wag their tails while playing, does that mean they are having fun?
   
My concern comes with the behavior of Pete. When adopting him all the paperwork about him mentioned how we was so affectionate and loves to lay with you, snuggle, wants to be petted etc. The first couple days after being brought home we did notice this. He would lay on us on the couch purring and needing like crazy. Since then however he does not come near us on his own very often. When he does Bob will either come over to check it out (he's very nosy and has to know exactly what's going on at all times) or make a whining voice and then Pete gets down and sits by himself. Is this some sort of dominance/territorial thing where Bob is in control?
   
A week ago Bob went to the vet for an all day visit. When he was gone Pete was very affectionate and loving all day, all he wanted to do was be around us or lay with us. Once Bob came back in the evening he started to stay away again. I'm just concerned that Pete is a sad kitty since I feel like he wants to snuggle and lay with us but feels he can't because of Bob.
   
Am I off base or overly concerned? Will this behavior change as they get more comfortable with each other? For selfish reasons I want Pete to be a lap kitty but most of all I want him to be happy. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you

First, you are not particularly off-base, & you're not overly concerned. This is a cat relations thing that has to be balanced out, so everyone's happy.
   
The fighting followed by the licking is totally normal behavior between two cats in the same house. Tail-lashing is an expression of excitement, from the battle (or the sight of the bird outside the window). It stops when they calm down.
   
Pete is giving way to Bob, as Bob's the more assertive cat - & he's overbearing. Bob is also pulling rank, since he's older & more sure of himself. Yeah, the comment from Bob is a dominance thing, it's always like this when there's 2 males in the house, somebody wants to be in charge.
   
It's not that Pete isn't affectionate (as you found out later), he's being aced out by Bob. We have this same problem with Faro horning in every time we talk to Kyle. We have the same situation, Bob (Faro, for us) is just plain pushy; the other cat is more retiring.
   
You have to take Bob in hand. Push him away when you're talking to Pete, since Bob's getting plenty of attention. Whap him firmly on the nose with your finger, if that'll get him to back off (though, I'll be he'll be back again in 1.5 minutes, this kind of cat always is).
   
Collect Pete specifically, every day, settle him on your lap, & give him the attention he needs and wants. If Bob comes over, whoever isn't holding Pete should summarily remove Bob to a nearby chair or a bed and tell him not to be so annoying. It's your job to protect Pete from Bob at times.
   
If Pete's on the couch with you & Bob comes & whines, don't let Pete leave. Catch him as he starts to leave, or pick him up from wherever he's backed off to and return him to your lap. Tell him he's got every right to be on your lap.
   
Pete has to learn that you don't agree with Bob, he IS allowed to stay, and, in fact, YOU are the Senior Cats in the clowder, & what you say, goes. Bob's trying to run Pete AND the adults, & he can't be permitted to. He's not in charge.
   
As you saw whild Bob was at the hospital, Pete on his own is a friendly fellow, & he was probably glad Bob had evaporated.
   
Yes, do everything you can to encourage Pete to be a lap cat - since Bob obviously isn't so much a lap cat as totally selfish (like most cats).

i have two cats ones my sisters:jasper*declawed/nutered*,quiet and loving age about 5 yrs then theres my cat elizibeth*lizzie* :frisky,jumpy,small,beutiful,fast,intelligent, and wild age:1 yr. then my moms friend and her duaghter moved in with there 3 cats ronaldo :the suck follows they owners and easiliy frightend about 2-3 yrs with his brother brazil:same as ronaldo but more alive and niko the stray cat they took in because niko was a elderly abused cat but a grouch.now all these cats are males but mine but she somehow over powered them and she is the top queen she-cat she is rules them all she is also the the prettiest of the she cats i've seen and she is younger so i am thinking pete is like jasper and the others something your other cat might have done,looks like,and wisedom made pete think "he has power that i cant attack agianst"...but since lizzie ran away the cats have no rules to follow. she was their leader.and your cats the leader male of your house