FicWad

Disclaimer: Not mine, no money made etc.
Note: In response to the LiveJournal PRSW 22 challenge, themes #02, atmosphere and #11, laughter.
Note II: Okay, here's the second half of the previous chapter. (This puppy turned out even longer than I thought it would ...!) I know I promised to have this ready last weekend; sorry for the delay. But right in the middle of this part, after I'd written a particularly GOOD scene, my effing laptop blue-screened on me without warning and three pages (plus all edits) were lost. Took me two days to get over being pissed as hell and back into the proper writing mood, but sadly I didn't quite manage to fully recreate that scene. grumblemutterglare Still, I hope you enjoy the chapter anyway. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and please pass by the feedback box on your way out?

More Than Friends And Brothers
Chapter 8: Getting It Right (2)


We Didn't Start The Fire ...

Kissing and fondling each other every step of the way, they left the living room, crossed the hallway and entered Tommy's bedroom. Jason had a fleeting impression of muted candlelight, of gleaming red sheets and a waiting bed as Tommy closed the door behind them. Before he could take a better look, though, he found himself pressed against the wooden surface and his mouth once more invaded by a thrusting tongue. Jason returned the demanding kiss willingly and bucked against the fingers reaching for his zipper, but even as his eyes drifted shut they began to water and he had to cough.

"Shit, what's ... cough ... that ... cough ... smell?" he wheezed. "It stinks!"

Tommy was having difficulties breathing, too. "The damned candles," he croaked, realizing at once what must've have happened in the good two hours since he'd lit them. Wildly, he scanned the room for all the spots where he'd placed the votives. Sure enough, they were distributed so evenly that they had permeated the whole room, creating an almost miasma-like blanket of scent. "Crap, I had no idea the smell would be this strong!" Reluctantly, he let go of Jason, who almost immediately doubled over with another coughing fit.

"Maybe you shouldn't have used half a dozen," Jason choked, getting dizzy from the nearly-overpowering sandalwood fumes. "Isn't one or two usually enough for a room this size?"

"Could be. Hang on, I'll put them out." Quickly, Tommy blew out all but one candle on a wall-hanging shelf and opened the window next to it. The cool evening breeze fluttered the curtains and soon diluted the strong scent filling the room. The two men hurried over to stand side by side at the window, drawing fresh air deep into their lungs until they were able to breathe freely again.

"I'm sorry," Tommy said ruefully to Jason as they recovered. "I was just thinking of the ambience the candles would give. I didn't know it'd be this overpowering."

"Hey, no problem," Jason replied. "The soft light did look great, but ... next time, use just one scented candle and plain others?" Privately, now that he'd had some time to take in the whole room, he couldn't help thinking that Tommy had gone just a little overboard with his preparations. First the specially-laid table, music and pre-cooked dinner, now sandalwood candles and satin sheets? If he wasn't mistaken, he'd even caught a glimpse of glass, like from a bottle, next to the bed. Against the dark-oak furniture and with the bed already turned back, the bedroom looked like a movie set for a high-class brothel. All that was missing was some mood music, and judging by the portable CD radio sitting on a shelf, that could be provided, too by the flick of a button. He hid a smile. Tommy had obviously wanted to make up for the lack of atmosphere two weeks ago, and if everything taken together was just a tad too much ... It's the thought that counts, bless him. And he does get an 'A' for effort!

"Sure," Tommy sighed, then slanted a sideways glance at Jason. "I suppose that's killed the mood again, huh."

To his surprise, Jason shook his head. "Not really," he rumbled softly and placed his hand on Tommy's chest. "If we leave the window open, the smell should go down to an okay level soon ... and I'd hate to let those sheets go to waste," he winked. "Can't wait to see you on 'em."

"My thoughts exactly," Tommy replied, his mouth curving into a smile of his own. He drew Jason back into his arms and let his hands drift from his waist to the tight buttocks, gently stroking them through the soft cotton of Jason's chinos. "When I saw the color in the store, all I could think of how you'd look lying on them, stripped, already hard and waiting for me." Recalling that image sent a fresh surge of blood into his genitals, and as had happened at the shop he felt himself lengthen and swell. He chuckled and blushed faintly, to Jason's surprise. "Hell, I nearly embarrassed myself with the salesgirl. Good thing I was wearing jeans, not loose cotton slacks, or she'd have gotten an eyeful for sure!"

"Did you really?" Jason asked delightedly, thrilled by the thought. "Pitch a tent, or something?"

"Uh huh. Told you you turn me on," Tommy murmured, leaning in to nosh at Jason's ear. "My reaction was almost exactly like this." To demonstrate, he thrust gently against Jason's hips, letting him feel his growing hardness. Jason moaned and reacted in kind, pressed up closer to Tommy, angled for a kiss, then trailed his moistened lips across Tommy's cheek down his neck.

"I have that much of an effect on you?" he wondered. "Even when I'm not there?"

Tommy grinned even as he slipped his hands under Jason's shirt to touch smooth, warm skin. "Oh yeah. You've always managed to get a rise out of me, one way or another."

Amused against his will, Jason groaned and rolled his eyes at the pun, but didn't evade those questing hands. Instead, he reached for his lover's belt and started to unbuckle it. "Good to know - because it's mutual. So how about we check out the effect now?" he breathed with a sly smile.

"I thought you'd never ask."

---

They took their time undressing each other, frequently stopping to kiss, lick, nibble and caress a patch of skin revealed whenever a piece of clothing was removed. When they were finally both nude, both men were breathing heavily and fully aroused.

"Let's lie down," Jason murmured, his eyes smoky with desire.

"Mm-hmm," Tommy agreed, but got distracted by the throbbing cock jutting from Jason's groin. Unable to resist the lure of satin-soft skin stretching over springy hardness, he encircled it with his fingers and began to pump slowly. Jason's head fell back and his eyes closed as he moaned blissfully and simply enjoyed the gentle touch for a couple of minutes. Soon, though, he dragged himself out of the sensual haze and asked Tommy to stop.

"If you keep that up, I'll be coming all over you right here," he rasped.

"Oh. Can't have that." Regretfully, Tommy let go of Jason, but not without a parting pass over the swollen head. Already, a few drops of fluid had gathered at the tip, and he took them onto his fingertips, then licked them clean with a sultry smile. Jason shivered as he watched avidly. He's really pulling out all the stops tonight. Me likes! He simply reached for Tommy's hand and led him the few remaining steps towards the waiting bed. Once there, he let go and sank onto the mattress.

"Aah, yes!" Jason sighed as he lay back, enjoying the feel of the cool, smooth satin against his heated skin as he stretched sensuously. Tommy had set the stage for him; now it was time to make use of it. He was rarely shy about showing off his assets and he did so now, tucking one hand beneath his head and running the other down his own body, pinching his nipples erect, outlining the hard muscles of his flat stomach and gliding gradually lower until he reached his groin.

Tommy drank in the sight of Jason displaying himself like this for him. The contrast of dark hair and tanned skin against the expanse of gleaming wine-red cloth was exactly as he'd imagined it, surpassing any fantasy.

With a knowing smile, Jason decided to give his lover a performance he wouldn't soon forget. "Like what you see?"

"Yeah ..."

"Good. Then look as much as you want."

Tommy just nodded; he couldn't have glanced away if his life depended on it, and he was far too aroused to speak.

Under his lover's burning gaze, Jason continued to tease his nipples with one hand, even licking a finger and rub saliva onto the stiffened nubs, making them gleam wetly in the candlelight. He gradually spread his thighs and lifted his balls with his other hand, rolling them briefly between his fingers before he took hold of his cock. Jason stroked himself slowly, growing harder and larger until the broad chest was heaving with his shallow breaths. He could feel pre-come oozing from the tiny slit in the head, and he wanted Tommy's tongue to catch it, now! Jason's fingers slid to the base of his shaft, took a firm grip and pointed the swollen length at Tommy. His voice was rough with arousal. "Wanna lick it off this time?"

"You bet," Tommy breathed and nearly tumbled into the bed as he joined his lover. The light breeze wafting in from the open window was a silken caress on their heated skin; within minutes, the only sounds filling the dimly-lit room were the soft creaks of the mattress and bed-frame - and the excited moans of two men, their sweat-slick bodies writhing together on the bed, trying to touch wherever they could with hands and lips.

Tommy thought he might burst if he didn't come soon. At the moment, Jason was lying on his back, with Tommy kneeling between his thighs as he alternately licked and sucked on the straining cock. Tommy was very much tempted to just continue until the very end, to drain and swallow every last drop of salty liquid from Jason, but he remembered just in time that this hadn't been the plan for tonight. It was harder than he'd expected to hold back; only the prospect of finally fulfilling their common wish enabled him to release the throbbing shaft and to rest on top of him. Both were breathing in short, hard gasps. He met the look in the smoldering dark eyes with a lusty stare of his own.

"I've got to have you now, Jase," he murmured hoarsely. "I can't wait any longer."

Jason caught his breath as he felt his own cock jump with excitement. "God, yeah," he rasped, and kissed Tommy hard, grinding his lover's hips once more into his own. A part of him demanded to be the one in control, to take rather than give, but he told it sternly to wait its turn. Still ... "Are you sure you don't want me to be on top?" he couldn't help asking.

Tommy caught Jason's hands, held them over the top of his head and laughed softly, his eyes full of love and desire. Yes, he also wanted Jason to take him, but right now, the prospect of burying himself in the tight channel he'd explored so carefully two weeks ago was irresistible. Jason would just have to wait; once he was done, he'd be more than willing to submit in turn. "Yes. I want this as much as you do. Besides ... does it matter who does what first?"

Jason chuckled and accepted Tommy's decision with good grace as he relaxed in the lovingly firm grip. "Not really."

"Then stop talking and let me fuck you already!"

Jason swallowed hard as the explicit request/order nearly sent him over the edge. With an effort, he controlled himself. "Let go of me," he requested softly. When Tommy reluctantly complied, he spread his legs even wider to give his lover more room and with one hand reached between their bellies for their engorged cocks. "Where's the lube?"

"Nightstand," Tommy moaned, his eyes closing in bliss as Jason expertly started to stroke both their cocks simultaneously. Instinct made him rock back and forth, and the fire in his veins threatened to become a conflagration. His arms began to tremble from the strain of holding himself poised above Jason. "God, Jase, hurry!"

"Yeah." Jason groped unsteadily for the drawer's handle with his free hand and blindly rummaged through the few items inside. His questing fingers eventually encountered a bottle-shaped container, so he took it out, all the while trying not to lose hold of their pricks throbbing in his grasp. He also tried to nip-kiss his way from one sensitive nipple to the other. But despite his best efforts, he couldn't get the container to open with just one hand. Jason realized that he needed to actually look at what he was doing, or he'd end up pouring the stuff anywhere but where it should go - namely, on Tommy's cock and hand and beneath his own balls. Reluctantly, he abandoned the swollen nubs on the leanly-muscled chest.

Jason actually needed a second to orient himself, he'd been that absorbed in and focused on making love to Tommy. In his overheated imagination, one wall of the room seemed to be awash in flickering flames, and if Tommy's moans and gasps weren't filling his mind to the exclusion of nearly everything else, he could almost believe that he could literally hear the crackle of fire. He shook himself and tried to get a clear look at the bottle of lube. A glance showed that the cap didn't need to be unscrewed; it had a flip-top cover, and Jason was just about to snap it open when a strange light flickering near the window caught his attention. Probably just the candle Tommy left burning. Or a kind of fancy mirage. Tommy was kneeing his thighs further apart and moaned his name in entreaty. It was extremely, pleasantly distracting, and Jason instinctively complied, but some instinct still made him look past Tommy's arm at the wall, towards what he'd thought was pure imagination ... and he pushed Tommy off of him with a single, powerful shove.

"Shit! Fire!" He was cursing a blue streak even as he jumped to his feet and surged forward.

"What?" Shocked, Tommy lay where Jason had thrown him, staring rather dazedly at his friend's backside. The tight, flexing buttocks beckoned to him, but why had Jason left their bed? He saw Jason rushing towards the window, his gloriously nude form outlined by a fiery aura against the dark square of the window, and wondered for a second if his mind was playing tricks on him. I wanted fire for our first time, and Jason's been giving it to me in spades ... doesn't get much hotter than this! The next instant, Tommy realized that he wasn't imagining the flames - there really was a fire in his bedroom!

Pure adrenaline brought him to Jason's side in an instant, and together they tore down the burning curtains, throwing them out of the window into the yard below. A few sparks had fallen to the floor and onto the shirt Tommy had dropped there earlier, setting it aflame as well. Instinctively, he tried to stomp out the burning cloth, but Jason stopped him just in time.

"Don't! You'll burn your foot!"

Tommy froze mid-motion. "But ..."

Quickly, Jason grabbed a pillow from the bed and thrust it at his partner.

"Here, take this!"

"Right."

A few heavy whaps managed to beat out the flames, and Tommy yanked up the still-smoldering shirt and sent it after the curtains into the yard where it would do no more harm. He winced as he singed his fingers; in his haste he hadn't noticed the embers still glowing in a few folds. Panting heavily, he looked around.

"Did we get everything?"

"I think so," Jason answered, his own chest heaving. With a sigh, he wiped his forehead, leaving a smudge of soot behind. "At least in here. But one of us should go down and throw some water on the curtains; the grass below the window could be dry enough to catch fire. And if it is ..."

"... my whole house might burn down," Tommy realized. "I'll go."

"'Kay. And I'll take care of things in here."

"Right." With a resentful sigh, Tommy picked up his jeans and stepped into them, not even bothering with underwear. "Be right back." He turned towards the door, but was held back by Jason's hand on his shoulder. "What?"

"Better put on some shoes," Jason murmured with a wry smile. "The last thing we need is you cutting yourself on something just because we got careless."

"Hmph." It was unlikely to happen, but Jason had a point; so Tommy did as he was told, then quickly went downstairs. The curtains were indeed still smoldering, probably set off once more by the wind and when the shirt got dropped on top of them. He kicked the whole lot onto the graveled area behind his garage, then turned on the garden hose and sprayed everything until all that was left was a smelly, steaming heap of charred fabric. Deciding he could leave that to deal with the next morning, he turned off the tap, slung the hose haphazardly aside and trudged wearily back into the house. His heartbeat slowly returned to a more normal level, and the rush of danger-fuelled adrenaline subsided. Unfortunately, so did his desire.

---

Jason just looked at Tommy as he returned to the bedroom and closed the door behind him. He'd also thrown on his pants, blown out the last candle, put it on the floor and opened the window all the way, letting the night air clear the smell of smoke from the room. He'd switched on the central overhead light, and in its glare it was easy to see the damage done to the room.

"It's not too bad," Jason remarked as he saw Tommy's expression. "All that's really lost is your shirt, the pillowcase and the curtains; we can fix the curtain rod with a couple of screws and some spackle, and the scorch mark on your floor boards can be removed with a sander."

"Thanks for the DIY lesson," Tommy snapped, then caught himself. "I'm sorry. It's just ... things were going so well, and to get interrupted like this ..."

"It sucks, I know," Jason replied, came over and slipped a comforting arm around Tommy's shoulder. "You don't have to apologize for being angry."

"I'm not angry, just disappointed," Tommy sighed, leaning into the light embrace. "Shit. I wanted everything to be perfect tonight, and look what happened."

"Everything was perfect, Tom," Jason murmured, then grinned lightly. "After all, we got it almost right this time. Last time, you said we were missing out on heat and fire; well, between your preparations and ourselves, we managed that alright tonight - we just didn't expect it to be literally."

"Yeah, well ..."

"Come on, it's not the end of the world. So we didn't get around to making love-"

"Again," Tommy groused.

"Again," Jason repeated dutifully, then tightened his arm around Tommy. "Big deal. I bet parents with young kids get interrupted more often, and for less serious things. Sure, I'm sorry about it, too - everything was going so right, and you made me feel really good, but ... there'll be other times," he soothed.

Tommy was having none of it. "The way things are going, it'll be when hell freezes over," he griped. "Dammit, what do we have to do to finally have real sex? Lock ourselves into a bunker somewhere and throw away the key? If I hadn't been such an idiot to light so many candles, we wouldn't have had to open the window, and if I'd stopped to think for a second, I'd have set the last candle well out of reach of the curtains. It's all my fault that things went wrong again, and if I'd-"

"Stop that right now, Tom!" Jason interrupted him forcefully, even shaking him a little. "Beating yourself over the head with 'if I'd done this' or 'if I hadn't done that' is useless. Shit happens, and you know that as well as I do. Going in circles with 'what ifs' got old around the time you lost your first set of Powers for good - and that wasn't your fault, either. So stop playing the guilt card already - it won't work. Not with me, and not about this. It was an /accident/, nothing more, nothing less."

He paused for breath, then went on before Tommy could get a word in edgewise. "Was that accident stupid? Maybe. Bad timing? Hell, yeah. But that doesn't mean we're jinxed, or cursed, or whatever. It just means we'll have to try again." He sighed and shook his head. "Bro ... as far as I'm concerned, we've been having 'real' sex since we became lovers during spring break last year. You've touched me in every way possible since then - physically as well as emotionally, and I'd like to think I've done the same with you."

"You have," Tommy murmured, still rather pissed. "But ..."

"No buts," Jason said firmly. "Just because we haven't, um, gone all the way yet doesn't make our lovemaking any less 'real'. Not when it's everything I could possibly wish for. Remember earlier tonight, when you told me what I'm doing to you?"

Mutely, Tommy nodded; how could he forget what had led to some of the best foreplay it had ever been his pleasure to engage in? He was sure the sex, if they'd gotten around to it, would've been just as spectacular. But he was feeling too upset about the fresh failure. He couldn't bear to be reminded of what might have been. "Jase, right now I don't want-"

He was stopped by a finger across his lips. "Hush. I'm not finished."

Mutinously, Tommy fell silent under Jason's admonishing stare.

"Whether you want to hear it or not, here's my list." Inhaling deeply, Jason continued, lowering his voice to a soft, intimate rumble that sent chills down Tommy's spine despite himself. "When you hold me, I shiver. When we kiss, I start trembling. When I hold your cock or give you head, I feel like I'm melting inside. Double that when you're the one making me come with your hands - and when you take me in your mouth, it's ..." Words failed him, and he shrugged. "Let's just say that the chart measuring my feelings in those moments hasn't been written yet," Jason concluded softly. He gazed deeply into the still-stormy brown eyes searching his own.

"That's what sex with you is doing to me. No, wait - we're not just having sex; we're /making love/. Big difference. So tell me that isn't real, Tommy. Tell me if you can - and make me believe you mean it. Because to me, it doesn't get more real than that."

Truer words had never been spoken between them. A part of him wanted to shout a resounding 'YES!' and kiss Jason senseless for baring his heart and soul like that, yet another part, the stubborn one that insisted it was all his fault, wouldn't quite be silenced.

"Yes, but ..." He never got further than that.

"No buts. I love you, Bro," Jason murmured quietly, removing one hand from around Tommy's shoulders to wrap it around the narrow hips and draw Tommy against him. "And it doesn't matter if we ever get to do more than we already do or not. It won't change my feelings for you. Because they're /real/."

"I love you, too," Tommy replied unsteadily, his inner demon vanishing in a puff of smoke under the power and truth of the simple declaration. "And you're right, what we have is real." He quirked a wry grin. "Guess my idiocy was in believing even for an instant that it wasn't. I'm sorry."

The sincere apology, brief as it was, was accepted with a gentle kiss and a smile. "Yes."

Tommy did a double-take at the matter-of-fact statement, saw the glint of humor in the midnight-dark eyes and gave a rueful chuckle before he moved all the way into his best friend and lover's arms. They had the laughter back; that meant the universe was right-side up again. "You would have to agree with /that/, wouldn't you."

"Of course." Jason laid his cheek against Tommy's, feeling the slight rasp of five o'clock shadow on his lips as he brushed a kiss towards the nearest ear. "If I didn't, you'd go off on one guilt trip after another, and I'm sick and tired of following you there," he whispered, nipping playfully at the lobe.

"Sorry." Tommy sighed and finally relaxed into Jason's embrace, gratefully soaking up the peace and love he was being offered. For his part, Jason gave freely of his feelings, secure in the knowledge that tonight's failure was just another temporary setback. We'll get there. I know we will. If not tonight, then another time.

They stood holding each other for long minutes, until a barely-smothered yawn from Jason roused Tommy from his contentment.

"Tired?" he asked.

"Uh huh," Jason admitted, shrugging sheepishly. "I've been up since before seven in the morning; what with the drive up here after school and all the excitement we've had ... it's been a long day."

"You must be beat," Tommy concluded, reluctantly easing out of the comforting hold. As he moved, he was surprised by a yawn of his own and had to grin. "Now that you mention it, me too. C'mon, let's get some sleep."

"Please."

They kissed deeply, but it was soothing rather than arousing. For once, both men preferred it that way. Jason slipped his hand into Tommy's, their fingers intertwined and together they turned, only to be stopped short by the sight of the rumpled bed.

One pillow was missing, the covers had been kicked halfway to the floor and the red satin sheets which had looked so sensual and inviting before suddenly seemed rather garish in the bright overhead light. The bare, black square of the window, the faint soot marks around the edges and the torn-off curtain pole leaning against the wall next to it were more unwelcome reminders of the mishap that had cut short the passion they'd shared earlier.

"I don't know about you, but I really don't feel like getting back into that bed. Those sheets are made for hot, steamy, I-can't-get-enough-of-you sex, not to sleep on," Jason muttered.

"Yeah," Tommy sighed. "And to be honest, right now I'm really no longer in the mood. Are you?"

"Nah."

They continued to stare at the bed. The gleaming bedding almost seemed to mock them.

"We could change the sheets," Tommy said reluctantly.

"I guess ..." But now that weariness was catching up with them, even that relatively simple task seemed like too much effort.

They shared a glance. "Guest room?" Jason suggested at last.

Tommy blushed faintly. "It's, uh, still kinda, um, messy in there," he mumbled, embarrassed. Assembling the guest bed and unpacking the last boxes of his books, trophies and tapes had been on his to-do list since he'd moved into the house, but somehow, he'd always found other, more important things to do. "Like, the bed's kinda still in pieces ..."

Jason rolled his eyes and sighed. Being familiar with Tommy's sometimes rather sketchy housekeeping talents, he had a good idea what they'd find in the guest room. I'm really too tired to deal with a room full of junk now!

"Where else can we sleep then?" he asked, just a little crossly. "No offense, Tommy, but ..."

"I know," Tommy hastened to reassure him. "I'm sorry. I'll take care of it next week, I promise. In the meantime ..." He thought quickly, trying to come up with a suggestion that would be more comfortable than getting out an air mattress and sleeping bags. Inspiration struck. "You know ... if you don't mind really close quarters, we could just take off the back cushions of the couch. That'll make it almost queen-size - larger than a single bed, anyway. Sure, it'll be tight, but ... "

"But it's gonna be more comfortable than the floor, I suppose," Jason grumbled, then gave Tommy a smile. "Of course I don't mind sleeping close to you, silly." He went and grabbed two pillows from the bed. "So what do we use for blankets?"

"I have a lightweight comforter in the hall closet."

"Perfect. Let's go."

Together, they left the bedroom, collected what they needed and went back downstairs to the living room. Minutes later, the two men were snuggled up on the couch, Tommy's head resting on a broad, bare shoulder as Jason drew the cover more closely around them.

He yawned and slipped one leg between Jason's for a more comfortable fit. "Y'know, this is kinda nice," he murmured.

"Uh huh," Jason agreed around a yawn of his own. Absently, he petted Tommy's naked back, liking the feel of warm skin against his own. If I weren't so tired ... But he was exhausted. To his surprise, though, he found his mind was still wrestling with one thought. Deciding to bring it out into the open before he forgot, he spoke up.

"Tom?"

"Yeah?"

"No more plans from now on."

"Huh?" Tommy lifted his head sleepily. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jason shifted his head on the pillow and stuck his free arm underneath so he could look into Tommy's eyes.

"I don't want to make plans for making love anymore. And I don't want you to make any either."

That was so unexpected that Tommy felt himself return to full wakefulness. Levering himself up to lean on one elbow, he stared at Jason. "I don't understand," he said, severely puzzled. "I thought you wanted it as much as I did ..."

Jason chuckled and drew him back down onto his chest. "I still do, don't worry."

"Then what ... why ..."

He pressed a kiss into the short brown hair. "When we have 'real' sex at last - ow!" He found himself pinched for his slightly exaggerated emphasis and repetition of Tommy's earlier phrasing. "Stop that!"

"Stop throwing my words back at me, then; I said it was stupid and that I was sorry, okay?"

So he had. But it would provide teasing material for a good while nonetheless. Jason grinned to himself, then continued. "Right. Anyway, what I meant to say was - I don't want us to plan for it anymore. No more big seduction scenes, no deliberate setups, no special preparations. If it happens, it happens; tomorrow, next week, next year, whenever. I don't care."

It seemed the sensible thing to do, but after all his earlier trouble to make the atmosphere as perfect as possible, Tommy couldn't help but feel slightly hurt. "Didn't you like what I did?" he asked plaintively. Jason immediately hugged him in reassurance.

"I loved it."

Oh. That's okay, then. "Really?"

"Yep. But to be honest, after the last time ... when I drove up here, I'd kind of expected you to have prepared something of the sort - and it had me in knots all the way. It ... wasn't a very comfortable feeling, and I'd prefer not to have to go through that anymore."

"I can see that, I guess." Trying to put himself into Jason's place, Tommy did see how anticipation, even of something pleasant that they both wanted, could have its negative side - especially as it concerned a step into the unknown. Especially after their impromptu first attempt had unwittingly gone so wrong. Jason smiled, relieved that he understood.

"Besides, you already ticked all the boxes; if we continue to make plans, it'll either be a copy of tonight - well, minus the fire, I hope - or we'll get into a spiral of 'anything you can do, I can do better'. And I definitely don't want that to happen."

"Ugh, no," Tommy agreed. "And yeah for the nerves," he admitted wryly. "I was so afraid I'd do something wrong, or worse, that you'd laugh at me when you saw my preparations."

"Not gonna happen."

"Promise?"

"I promise. I'd never laugh at something done out of love."

That demanded a kiss, which was gladly given and received.

"So, are we agreed then?" Jason asked softly when they were done.

"Yes."

"Good." Another, huge yawn escaped Jason, and Tommy laughed. Wrapping himself even more tightly around the strong body lying beside him, he finally found the perfect position and closed his eyes.

"Go to sleep, Jase."

"Yeah. G'night."

"Night."

Soon, they slept.

---

Pain And Pleasure

"'Come spend the weekend with me,' you said. 'It'll be fun,' you said," Tommy muttered at David as he limped from the corral back to the house his brother shared with Sam Trueheart on the reservation. He was supported on either side by David and Jason, and David was also carrying his saddle bag. "What you didn't say was that you planned to drag us into the wilderness on a cattle drive, with over fifty head of loud, obnoxious, stinking cows and that we had to sleep on the ground in the worst rainstorm the state of California has seen within the last twenty years. Without a tent, I might add. Fun? I think not!"

Jason had to hide a grin. "Come on, Bro, it wasn't that bad," he said, hoping Tommy couldn't hear the amused quiver in his voice. He didn't dare look at David, or he'd collapse in hysterics.

"Don't tell me you like being cold and wet!"

"Well, I could've done without the rain, yes," he admitted. "But David didn't know the weather was gonna change so suddenly. And I for one really enjoyed the ride."

"You didn't get the nag from Hell, either," Tommy sniped.

"Your horse was perfectly fine, brother. It was you who insisted on playing John Wayne and chased him into the creek at full gallop. No wonder he threw you," David said curtly as they staggered along the narrow street. Tommy wasn't exactly a lightweight, and he was leaning heavily on both his companions. "You can count yourself lucky that all you got were bumps and bruises, and aren't on your way to the nearest ER right now."

"I keep telling you, the horse got spooked!"

"Yeah, right," David snorted and stopped a few doors down from his and Sam's house. "Try slipping on a submerged rock, thanks to your damn-fool stunt. What if he'd broken a leg? We'd have had to put him down on the spot, and what then? Do you have any idea what a trained trail horse costs?" He named a figure that made Jason whistle and Tommy blanch. With an effort, David controlled his irritation and dumped Tommy's bag in front of a neat house. "Okay, here we are. Think you guys can manage to come over to Sam's for dinner?"

"Sure," Jason replied. "Thanks, David."

He took a firmer hold of Tommy and guided his friend slowly around the neat, whitewashed house. They were staying in a cabin one of the Truehearts' neighbors had in her back yard (originally built for her son who had moved out several years ago) and was now rented out to visitors. The wooden A-frame structure stood at the far end of the garden, and once inside showed very basic amenities - a double bed that was already made, two worn easy chairs and a small table under the window, a dresser and a serviceable bathroom with shower. It wasn't much, but enough for one night.

"David's right, you know," he remarked as Tommy frowned at the little-old-lady-ish décor. "That horse could've been seriously injured."

"What about me?" Tommy muttered, angry and starting to feel embarrassed. "I could've been seriously hurt, too!"

"Do you think that hadn't occurred to me? You nearly gave me a heart attack when I saw you go down," Jason said quietly. "Until you got up and were obviously none the worse for wear, I pictured you with broken ribs, limbs ... or, God forbid, a broken spine." He drew a deep breath, forcing the quiver out of his voice before he continued. "You don't have to prove yourself to me or anyone, Tom. Please - don't pull a stunt like that again? For my sake, if nobody else's?"

Now Tommy was embarrassed. Worse than that, he was mortified that he had caused so much trouble and worried both his brother and his best friend in the process. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, cheeks burning with guilt.

"It's not me you should apologize to."

"I know, and I'll tell David at dinner," Tommy said ruefully. He touched Jason's shoulder. "Forgive me?"

To his relief, Jason nodded and smiled, then changed the subject. "You wanna sit, or lie down until it's time to go?"

Tommy sighed as he weighed the armchair's advantages against the bed's. "I don't know. The bed looks awful inviting, but if I do stretch out I'm not sure I can get up again, I'm that sore."

Jason smirked just a little. "I keep telling you, Bro - you're stuck behind your desk or in a lab way too often and long. No wonder you're out of shape!"

"Hey, I do exercise regularly," Tommy protested, stung. He knew that, while fit, he was a long way from being in 'fighting trim' at present. Quite unlike Jason, who as a PE teacher had daily opportunities to work out with his students ... and used them, too. He just hadn't wanted to believe his recent lack of activity was so noticeable.

"Yeah - to keep fit, but that's about all you're doing. Tom, you know how fast muscles atrophy if they aren't used, and that's doubly true for athletes. If you don't get back into a routine, you'll be sorry." Jason smiled to soften the rebuke and gripped Tommy's shoulder. "Not that I don't like wiping the floor with you when we spar - and I have lately, don't bother to deny it," he teased, "- but it's also because of your health. I don't want you to get sick or anything, so please make the effort?"

Jason was completely right, but that didn't mean Tommy liked to admit it. He had let himself slide just a little recently, gotten caught up in teaching and a research project. Glaring half-heartedly at Jason, he wished he could stop a tell-tale blush from staining his cheeks.

"If I do, are you gonna let me die in peace now?" He took a step away from Jason, felt his leg muscles cramp painfully in protest and groaned, perhaps a little melodramatically for effect. "I hurt all over!"

"I bet you do," Jason said consolingly. "Listen, why don't you go and take a long, hot shower while I pick up our stuff from the car? It'll warm you up and relax you, and we can ask David at dinner if he has some kind of liniment or something. If he does, I'll give you a rubdown before bed."

What an appealing idea! Tommy brightened a little. "Okay," he sighed. "At the least, it'll get me out of these clothes. Man, I hate being damp and muddy!"

"You're not the only one," his friend grinned. "Just don't use up all the hot water, okay?"

---

By the time Jason returned, Tommy was just emerging from the bathroom, clean and looking somewhat more cheerful. He was also only clad in a towel haphazardly tucked around his waist. Jason dropped their overnight bags on the dresser and stopped for a minute to admire the view. The light-blue terry cloth contrasted nicely with Tommy's tanned skin, and the flash of thigh and butt he got with every step Tommy took made his mouth water.

"You look good enough to eat, Bro," he said huskily.

"Oh yeah?" Tommy smiled. He knew from his own experience that droplets of water glistening on a muscular chest could be an incredible turn-on; it never failed to get a rise out of him when he got to ogle Jason in a similar state on one of their visits.

"Uh huh. Can I have a snack?" Jason asked playfully, came over and ran one hand caressingly down his lover's back. He stopped at the edge of the towel.

"No snacks before dinner," Tommy replied in a mock-stern imitation of his mother's voice. "And definitely not before you've cleaned up. You still stink of cow and horse!" Then, he sobered. "Jase ... I may have to take a rain check tonight. I'm really sore, and I don't know if I'll be up to it. Literally," he added wryly. "Do you mind?"

Jason kissed him and shrugged.

"Actually, I do mind - but only because we get few enough chances to make love as it is. But we knew beforehand we might not have the opportunity - no way would I be comfortable about being with you in Sam's house. Or any of our folks' homes, really."

"Um, yeah." The very thought that his, or Jason's parents, might accidentally overhear them together sent a shudder through Tommy. Sometimes, they tended to get rather ... vigorous, and that was not the kind of thing he cared to share with anyone. Nor did Jason, it seemed.

"But I'm sorry you're too tired and sore. I asked David if he had some muscle-relaxant cream, and he promised to ask around; hopefully, he'll get hold of some stuff from somebody: Fancy a massage later?"

"I think I'd like that," Tommy said, genuinely grateful. "Now, why don't you go get cleaned up and I'll unpack? I don't want to stiffen up completely-"

"But I like you all stiff," Jason teased, dark eyes twinkling as he plucked at the towel. His lover grinned and slapped the inquisitive fingers away from his ass.

"I know. Behave."

"Spoilsport."

"Sex fiend. As I was going to say, unpacking should be non-strenuous enough to keep me going through dinner."

"Right." Reluctantly, Jason took a step away from Tommy and started unbuttoning his shirt. "Lay out some shorts for me, please? It's too warm tonight for jeans."

"Sure." Delivering a not-quite stinging slap on the firm butt encased in muddy jeans, Tommy started to whistle innocently at the outraged yelp he got in return. "What?"

"I'll get you for this, Bro!"

"I'm sure you will. In fact, I'm counting on it," Tommy leered comically, then ruined the effect by wincing in pain as he bent to pick up his bag. "Later, though. Now get going, or we'll miss dinner - and I for one am suddenly starving!"

Jason snorted and mooned him as he shucked the rest of his clothes and disappeared into the bathroom, Tommy's laughter ringing behind him.

---

"That was great. Thanks, Sam," Tommy commented as the four men cleared away the dishes.

"Yeah. It was wonderful, especially after two days on the trail with only canned beans, sandwiches and instant coffee," Jason added, carrying a carafe of freshly-brewed java into the living room.

"I'm glad you boys enjoyed it," the old shaman replied.

"Very much, thank you. Much as I like my Asian food, sometimes nothing beats good old home cooking." Jason handed Tommy's relative a steaming cup, then sat on the couch next to his friend. "And this was some of the best I've ever had - my mother would kill for that soup recipe, I'm sure."

Sam smiled, pleased. "See me tomorrow before you leave, and I'll have it written it down for you."

"That'd be great, thanks."

"It's an old family recipe from David and Tommy's mother's side of the family ..." The tale slowly veered off into stories about the brothers' roots, eagerly followed by Tommy especially and listened to with quiet enjoyment by Jason. He knew little to nothing about his best friend's heritage, and it made him glad to see that Tommy was given yet another chance to learn about his birth parents and extended family history. Jason knew how being adopted had sometimes bothered Tommy in the past, and he would be interested in Sam's memories just for the sake of this - but he found to his surprise that he genuinely liked hearing about something that was part of his country's history as well.

After a fascinating hour or so, however, Tommy's soreness caught up with him, and he winced visibly as he shuffled to the bathroom.

"Guess we should go; Tommy really ought to lie down and relax, or he'll be in real pain on the drive home tomorrow," Jason said ruefully, observing Tommy's slow movement with concern in his eyes. "It's a long way to Reefside."

"You are quite right, he must rest," Sam nodded. "Both of you, really; you're not used to long days in the saddle."

"We will, thank you, sir," Jason smiled. He looked up when David tapped him on the shoulder. "Yeah?"

David handed him a ceramic jar with a screw-top. "Here, take this. I talked to Jake Bear, and he swears it's the best treatment for sore muscles there is."

Curiously, Jason opened the jar and dipped a finger into the faintly-yellow cream. It had a smooth, silky texture that would be easily spread and smelled rather pleasant as he rubbed his fingertips together. "Nice. What's in it?"

"No idea, but I'm assuming from the scent that it's lots of herbs - rosemary, sage, verbena, lavender and so on. They all have relaxing properties, and Jake said his mother makes it herself from all-natural ingredients. I think she even grows most of 'em in her own garden."

"Sounds like you should eat it, not rub it in," Jason grinned.

"Eat what?" Tommy wanted to know as he returned, but didn't wait for an answer. "Never mind; I'm so full, I can hardly move - and that's on top of my aches," he mumbled, rather embarrassedly. "I feel like I'm eighty tonight. Can we please go now so I can lie down?"

"Sure." They said their good-byes and left, walking slowly down the quiet street to Mrs. Blackdeer's cabin. Sunset was nearly gone, but the sky behind the mountains still showed a band of glorious reds, oranges and purples.

"It's beautiful out here," Jason commented idly, soaking in the quiet surrounding them. "If this weren't so far away from everything, I could get used to living in a place like this."

"Why do you think I bought my house? It's close enough to the city for shopping, eating and stuff, but too far out to have people dropping in at whim. Especially my students. Perfect!"

"And access to the Dino Lair had nothing to do with it?" Jason grinned.

"It wasn't the Lair then, just a convenient underground cellar. Hayley and I just set up shop there - and if I hadn't gotten compensation from the insurance company when Mercer's island blew up, I never could've afforded everything."

"Good thing you did, then."

"Yeah." They'd reached their cabin, and Tommy unlocked the door. Turning on the light, he blinked against the glare of a neon strip. "Man. By daylight, this didn't look too bad - a little rustic, chintzy and run down, but livable. Now, though ..." He shrugged. "Oh well."

"I saw a couple of candles in the top drawer of the dresser," Jason suggested, then grinned when Tommy vehemently shook his head.

"No way! I've had enough of candles!"

"Hey, we're not always going to set the house on fire."

"You mean I'm not going to," Tommy grumbled, but his eyes were filled with amusement. Now that some time had passed, he was able to look back at the incident at his house and see the funny aspect. That didn't mean he was risking a repeat, though. "No more candles."

"Okay, okay," Jason acquiesced, went over to the bed and turned on the small lamp on the nightstand. A soft glow began to fill the room. "This'll do, I guess."

"Uh huh." Tommy reached for the light switch. As the harsh neon light went out and his eyes adjusted to the semi-darkness, he stared disbelievingly at the innocent light fixture. "Um ... correct me if I'm wrong, but ... is that light pink?"

His friend snickered at the disgusted tone. "Seems like it."

"But ... but the shade looked orange!"

"The yellow from the bulb must be filtering out some of the spectrum through the fabric or something," Jason speculated. "You're the scientist; you tell /me/."

"Hmph." Tommy was not in the mood to recall what little he knew about spectrography and/or color charts; all he wanted was to lie down at last and rest his weary muscles. Casting a disgusted look at the bedside lamp, he began to undress. "I can't believe we're having pink light," he muttered. "/Pink/! Bah!"

"Don't let Kim or Kat hear you," Jason laughed and followed suit. "They're likely to skin you alive!"

"Good thing they're not here then," Tommy said dryly as he kicked his shoes under the bed. Briefly, he wondered what either of his former girlfriends would say if they knew Jason was his lover now, but chased the thought away. For the time being, they weren't likely to find out. He and Jason were fine just as they were - still safely in the closet. We're not gonna tell people about us until we're both ready - when the time is right. And until then ... ah, who cares?

When they were both stripped down to their briefs, Jason picked up the ointment jar again and set it on the nightstand. "Why don't you lie down? I need to go to the bathroom first, but as soon as I'm done I can give you a good rubdown with the cream David has given us."

"Yes, please. I didn't notice it so much at Sam's, what with the food and conversation, but now that I'm no longer distracted, I'm starting to feel pretty sore again."

"Right. Be back in a minute."

Jason was as good as his word, and returned to the cabin's main room to find Tommy stretched out face-down on the mattress, face turned towards him. He sat on the edge of the mattress, finding it pleasantly firm and comfortable, and picked up the cream. He unscrewed the lid and sniffed once more at the content. "Ready?"

"Uh huh. How'd you want me?"

Any way I can get you, Bro, Jason thought, but didn't say it. Their somewhat primitive surroundings weren't exactly conducive to making love, and besides - when they'd accepted David's invitation, they had more or less taken for granted that this weekend would remain ... What? Innocent? Celibate? Whatever you call not getting any. Damn. Regretfully resigning himself to the inevitable, Jason briefly considered how best to give his friend the promised massage.

"I think you're okay the way you are right now. How about I straddle your legs just below your butt? That way, I'll have the best access, can start at your shoulders and work my way down to your legs," he suggested at last.

"'Kay." Tommy lay his forehead on his arms and waited until Jason was in position. "I just hope that stuff isn't cold," he murmured.

"Wait and see." Scooping up a generous portion of the cream, Jason rubbed it onto his palms. Knowing how disagreeable it was to be massaged with cold hands, he had taken care to warm his under the tap, and to his surprise the ointment took on the same temperature almost immediately. "I think you're gonna like this, Bro," he smiled, placed both hands at the base of Tommy's neck and began kneading the firm muscles with long, careful strokes.

Tommy winced and groaned a few times when Jason encountered knotted tissue, but soon began to relax under the skillful touch. He could feel his tensions ebb away as Jason's thumbs worked up and down his spine, smoothed more cream into his sides and eased the kinks in his shoulders and arms.

"Mmm," he purred.

Jason chuckled. "Feel good?"

"Terrific," Tommy murmured, rocking gently along with Jason's back-and-forth movements. Soon, his world narrowed down to a soft island of rose-colored warmth as he began to feel drowsy under the gentle yet firm massage. Even the necessary interruptions when Jason scooped more cream out of the jar didn't disrupt his contentment, and Tommy let his mind go pleasantly blank as he just went with the flow.

For his part, Jason was enjoying the massage almost as much as Tommy; he loved touching him and being able to explore every dip and curve of that lean, strong back without distraction was worth working up a light sweat. When he reached the narrow waist, though, he found himself momentarily stopped by the tight waistband of Tommy's briefs. Thinking that it would be best to do all of Tommy's back, he didn't hesitate long, slipped his fingers inside the elastic and gently pulled the fabric down. Obligingly, Tommy just lifted his hips to help without commenting, and Jason continued his massage on the firm buttocks.

Tommy moaned.

Intent only on relieving Tommy's soreness and preoccupied with the differences in texture of his skin due to the light sprinkling of hair on the tight globes, it took Jason a moment to realize that the soft sound had gone directly into his groin. He caught his breath and almost stopped, but as Tommy was silent once more, he decided his imagination had been playing a trick on him. Helping himself to more cream, he scooted a little further down so he could reach Tommy's thighs. There, he encountered more cramped tissue and rubbed harder, working the long muscles with firm strokes until they relaxed. Tommy was groaning again as he did so, and Jason convinced himself that he'd indeed been imagining things. Once he reached the back of Tommy's knees, he found that he'd miscalculated the amount of cream he needed - his hands were still pretty much coated with the smooth, silky stuff.

Now what? Get up and wash? It seemed the logical thing to do, but it'd be a shame to just rinse off the spice-scented cream and waste it. Oh, what the hell. I'll just rub it onto Tommy; it won't do him harm, and I don't think he'll mind the extra attention. So Jason started upwards again, bypassing the still-glistening thighs to settle on Tommy's back once more. But it seemed that the cream had pretty much saturated his skin; it wouldn't absorb as easily as before.

Well, there's more of Tommy than his back. Shrugging inwardly, Jason began to stroke Tommy's sides, being careful not to tickle. Thankfully, Tommy was moving right with him, turning slightly - and apparently more easily and without discomfort - into the massage.

Maybe it was intentional, or maybe it was an accident; later, Jason could never tell. But on one of his downward strokes, his fingertips accidentally grazed a nipple. This time, Tommy definitely moaned, and it was not a sound indicating relief from pain. Jason froze where he was. Then Tommy shifted minutely, Jason's fingers inadvertently came to rest directly against the sensitive brown nub ... and felt it harden instantly.

---

Tommy was floating on a sea of sensation.

At first, he had been unable to suppress several winces and groans; Jason had unerringly found the most sore spots on his shoulders and back, and done his best to loosen them with deep, firm strokes and hard kneading of the tensed-up muscle groups. While he knew that he'd be grateful for the effort afterwards, at the time it had just added to his discomfort.

Hell, who am I kidding? The massage may be good for me, but shit, it hurts!

Soon, though, the increased circulation of blood under Jason's skilled hands helped as much as the rubdown itself. As sinews and muscles lost their tension and Tommy felt himself warm up, the pain lessened gradually and he found that he was beginning to enjoy the experience. This was by no means the first time that Jason was helping him out after some strenuous exercise, and he'd performed the same service to his best friend on countless occasions. Really, it had started as far back as high school, when they were both fighting as Rangers on an almost daily basis ... and from there it had easily spilled over to times when either or both were competing in karate competitions.

The only difference being, they'd never given each other massages on a bed before. Nor had Jason ever sat on his legs like he was doing now outside of a fight or sparring session - but for once Tommy did not feel pinned down. However, he was becoming very much aware that they were nearly naked.

That train of thought derailed when Tommy had to hiss sharply as Jason hit a particularly tense spot on his lower back and dug both thumbs deeply into the tissue surrounding his spine. Once the knot dissolved, though, and Jason's hands returned to his shoulders, Tommy groaned softly in relief.

"Feel good?" Jason asked, fond amusement in his voice as he slathered more cream on the lean back.

"Terrific," Tommy replied and relaxed even more, knowing that he was - quite literally - in good hands. Unconsciously, he began to move along with the long, even strokes, shifting as the varying pressure demanded. His world narrowed down to the room, to the bed ... to the circle of rose-colored light bathing them. The warm weight of Jason's legs gripping his own and the wonderful sensations his hands were producing on his skin lulled him into a state of almost insensate bliss, and Tommy never once thought to protest when Jason gently removed his briefs and extended the massage to his ass and thighs. In fact, it felt so good that Tommy couldn't swallow a pleased moan.

He thought he heard Jason gasp, but when there was no interruption in the even movement of the strong hands and no other sound was forthcoming, Tommy decided he must've been mistaken and concentrated once more on the lessening of pain as Jason began to work his legs down to the knees. It hurt a little to have the soreness kneaded out and Tommy groaned a few times until even the last bit of tension was gone and he felt like he would melt into the mattress. He fully expected Jason to stop once he was completely relaxed, but he never let up - and before Tommy could tell him he'd done his job, Jason started to massage upwards again.

Now the strokes were less firm, less purposeful, but Tommy didn't mind. It felt wonderful to be so cared for, to know that his lover went the extra mile to make him feel better, so he moved easily along, shifting and turning without any discomfort. Tommy smiled into his folded arms as Jason slid his fingers over his sides; he wasn't half as ticklish as Jason, but it sure was good to see that he was taking care not to disturb the mellow mood that enveloped them.

Tommy rotated his shoulders slightly, inadvertently lifting his chest on one side by that motion. He felt Jason's hand slip towards his chest, thinking nothing of it, but when a fingertip grazed his nipple, Tommy experienced a spark of electricity arcing from the circle of extra-sensitive skin directly into his groin. He moaned in surprise and delight at the innocent stimulation.

Above him, Jason went utterly still.

Instinctively, Tommy lowered his upper torso back onto the mattress, trapping Jason's hand ... and felt both his nipples swell and harden at his lover's touch. Not only that, another portion of his anatomy did the same - and he was unable to suppress a moan of sheer pleasure. This time, Tommy was sure Jason heard him.

---

Tommy moaned again, louder this time.

That's ... that's pleasure, Jason realized. He's really enjoying this, is he?

So did he. Now that he was listening to his own body, Jason found that all unknowingly he'd grown hard - that his cock was, in fact, straining against the confines of his briefs. He shivered, gradually becoming aware of the possibilities.

Is this it? The right time, moment and place? He hadn't thought so earlier, but now, somehow, things seemed to have changed between one heartbeat and the next. They were both in bed, Tommy was already naked, lying in a near-perfect position to be taken ... and he had everything they needed literally right at hand. The cream possibly wasn't an ideal substitute for a commercial lubricant, but as it had neither a cooling nor a warming effect, just aided the smooth gliding of skin on skin, it might well do.

Here goes nothing ...

Hardly daring to breathe, Jason let his desire overrule his mind and leaned forward for another pass along his lover's back. This time, he deliberately reached further around Tommy's chest, intentionally seeking his nipples. Tommy turned his head sideways on his arms and produced a sound deep in his throat that never failed to make Jason's pulse skyrocket. He leaned forward to kiss the nape of Tommy's neck and saw a slow smile form around his mouth even though his eyes remained closed.

Fighting down a sudden panic attack, Jason unsteadily scooped up more cream and returned to his massage, but now his strokes were more languorous and gentle, meant to entice rather than relax. He followed his hands with his lips down Tommy's spine, giving tiny, teasing kisses and licks until he reached the swell of the round buttocks. The shadowed cleft between them proved to be an irresistible lure, and Jason gently probed deeper with one finger. He encountered no resistance, just a deep sigh as he reached his target and touched the entrance to the hot channel.

"Tommy?" he whispered, a wealth of questions in the two simple syllables.

'Do you mind? Is this okay with you? Am I hurting you? Do you want me to go on ... or stop?'

Jason got his answer when Tommy arched his ass towards him and murmured his soft reply.

"Yes."

They'd waited too long for this moment, and suddenly Jason was fully erect and aching to go, his rod throbbing with need. Unable to hold back anymore, he slid a slick-with-cream finger into his lover's ass. Carefully, he started to pump, massaging Tommy's rectum as gently as he'd done his back, and soon could add a second finger as the tight ring of muscle relaxed.

Tommy gasped as Jason reached his prostate and a sizzling bolt of arousal suffused his whole lower body. "God, Jase ...!"

"Turn over," Jason rasped huskily, eager to stroke Tommy's cock and balls as well. As he'd hoped, he found them already pulsing and hard when Tommy complied, and he proceeded to drive his lover deeper into passion.

Tommy endured the double stimulation as long as he could without actively participating, but soon he wanted - no, needed to know that Jason was as excited as he. He reached for Jason's groin, only to encounter briefs stretched to the bursting point by the thick, hard cock.

"Take 'em off, Jase," he moaned. "I have to touch you!"

"You do it, or I'll have to stop ..."

"No!" Reluctantly dragging his eyes open, Tommy fumbled clumsily to push the fabric down Jason's hips. He wouldn't have succeeded if his partner had been any less nimble and athletic, but somehow they managed to get Jason naked without him having to let go completely. Tommy drew Jason towards him so that they lay head-to-foot and closed his lips unhesitatingly around the engorged length. Jason did the same to him, making Tommy moan deeply around his mouthful of hot flesh. Within minutes, both men were simmering on the brink of orgasm.

His balls were churning with the need to come and he was tempted nearly beyond endurance to let nature take its course and spill his seed down Tommy's throat, but Jason could feel that his lover was ready for more. His fingers slid easily back and forth within Tommy's narrow passage, there was no pain, no resistance ... and he couldn't wait a second longer. Regretfully, he let Tommy's cock slip out of his mouth and touched Tommy's hair to make him stop licking and sucking.

"Gotta have you now, Bro," he panted. "Okay?"

"Mmm."

Tommy released him deliciously, torturously slowly and looked at Jason with burning eyes. "Do it, then," he half-pleaded, half-commanded.

"Yeah."

Shivering with need and desire, Jason knelt up and moved between Tommy's thighs. He reached for the jar of cream, only to find it already in his lover's hands. Tommy scooped up a generous dollop and spread it all over Jason's jutting erection. Their eyes held as Jason withdrew his fingers from the depths of Tommy's ass and pulled the narrow hips onto his lap, but when Tommy spread and lifted his thighs, he suddenly winced and grimaced.

"Damn," he groaned. "I can't - I'm still too sore!"

For an instant, frustration at being thwarted again threatened to overwhelm Jason, but his mind, sharpened by desire, hit upon a solution right away. He let Tommy's legs sink back to the mattress, moved to his side and leaned forward to plunge his tongue between the panting lips.

"No problem," he murmured with a sensuous smile when they were both breathless and Tommy's mouth was swollen from his kisses. "Turn back over."

Tommy smiled back even as he began to comply. He would've liked to see Jason's face when he entered him, but the likely discomfort of being face-to-face wasn't worth marring their first time. There would be other opportunities when he was fully fit again - besides, he could always take Jason from the front when it was his turn to be on top. Quickly, Tommy settled onto his stomach once more and waited for Jason's next move.

He didn't have to wait long. Jason eased into position between his legs from behind and lifted him up. As he smoothed some more cream between Tommy's cheeks, he bent forward and kissed his spine.

"Ready?"

"Yeah."

"Okay."

Jason spread the tight buttocks with one hand and used the other to steady himself. Placing the swollen head of his cock against the puckered opening, he hesitated for just a second, drew a deep, shuddering breath, then pressed forward. To his relief, Tommy was relaxed enough that there was barely any resistance, and within a few heartbeats Jason was buried halfway inside the tight ass.

"Oh shit, Tommy," he groaned, fighting the need to snap his hips forward and slide in all the way. "I'm in ..."

Tommy shuddered, incapable of words, as he was spread open and Jason's cock entered him. There was no pain, just a burning sensation that sent ripples of desire all through his gut. The feeling of being nearly split in half soon gave way to a rather pleasant fullness, and he suddenly wanted nothing more than have Jason inside of him all the way. The blunt head was in just deeply enough to tease the slight bump of his prostate, and he desperately longed for some friction ... right ... /there/!

"Aah," he moaned as Jason ventured a first, shallow stroke. It soon morphed into a hiss of desire as the thrusts gradually grew deeper. "Yessssssss!"

"Oh man," Jason groaned as he plunged further into the hot passage with every thrust, trying desperately to keep his pace slow and easy and avoid hurting Tommy. "You're so fucking tight ..."

At last, his balls came to rest against the swell of Tommy's ass and Jason knew he was buried to the hilt. He paused momentarily to catch his breath and to steady his position. Shifting slightly on the bed, he braced his knees and took a firmer hold of Tommy's hips. Then, he bent forward to kiss the nape of his neck.

Jason's breath was hot and moist against his skin, and Tommy started to tremble in anticipation as the deep voice whispered huskily into his ear.

"I'm going to fuck you now, Bro."

The words were crude and to the point, but the emotions behind them were clear as day.

Lust. Pleasure. Love.

"Yes."

It was all the permission Jason needed. With that one word, and the total relaxation of his body that let his shaft slip in the final half-inch, Tommy's surrender was complete, and Jason accepted it gratefully. Letting his mind grow hazy with need and passion, he began to rock gently back and forth, sliding in and out of his lover. Then he gradually picked up speed, thrusting harder and faster as they both became accustomed to the sensations.

Nothing else existed but the two of them, cocooned in an island of gently glowing light as they swayed together in a primal dance as old as time. Jason may have been the one on top, seemingly in control, but somehow they were both taker and taken as Tommy's willing, joyful giving of his body was essential to this, their ultimate union.

Tommy reveled in the passionate loving, reaching for his own cock when his own body's demand for stimulation got overwhelming. He masturbated in sync with Jason's thrusts, but concentrated more on the feel of having the hard shaft of his lover throb deep within him. He met each forward plunge with a backward push of his hips, intensifying every sensation to the point that blocked out any discomfort from his still-sore muscles ... or from being stretched open by the invading shaft. All too soon, Jason was starting to move faster and harder; he seemed to swell to even bigger proportions and finally climaxed with a cry of pure lust. Tommy thought he could feel every drop of hot semen as they coated his insides, and the newly-added slickness sent him into his own frenzy. His hand flew faster and harder along his own cock, but he only tumbled over the edge into orgasm when Jason's fingers reached around and cradled his balls in a firm grip.

Tommy's own shout of release was muffled by the pillow, and both men collapsed in a quivering, sweating heap as the last aftershocks slowly subsided. His ass was still filled with Jason's slowly-diminishing cock, and Tommy had to smile through his exhausted gasps. Jason was probably not even aware that he was doing it, but he was spreading the cooling evidence of Tommy's orgasm all along the also-softening shaft he still fondled.

"Are you okay?" Jason's voice was a deep, soft rumble against Tommy's ear.

"Mmm, yeah," Tommy answered, feeling pleasantly exhausted. "A bit sore in some spots I wouldn't care to explain to a doctor, but nothing to worry about."

"I'm sorry." Jason kissed his neck.

"Don't be. It's only natural - and I had a lot more fun collecting that sore spot than the others." Tommy let his smile show in his voice and lifted Jason's hand from his groin to brush his lips against the back. Then, he carefully placed it back to where it had been.

"I guess, but tell me if you find something wrong later, okay?"

"Will do. Love ya."

"Love you too, Tom."

They rested for a while, cuddling contentedly in the afterglow until Jason found the strength to withdraw at last. He rolled away from Tommy's back and waited until he'd turned towards him, then leaned forward to claim a slow, thorough kiss. Tommy responded gladly; the warm tongue tangling with his own made the sudden emptiness in his ass seem more bearable. But he was surprised when the kiss ended and Jason got out of bed without a word, just a small smile, and disappeared into the bathroom. He was back in an instant, though, carrying a warm, damp towel with which he cleaned both of them. Finally done, Jason dropped the towel to the floor and lay down next to his lover. He reached out and touched Tommy's cheek.

"That was ... incredible," he murmured. "Thank you."

"Uh huh. I, um, kinda enjoyed it myself. But ... why thank me?" Tommy wondered, teasing forgotten.

"For giving me your body," Jason replied seriously. "For trusting me not to hurt you - and for loving me enough to let me share this with you, I guess."

Tommy covered Jason's hand with his own. "I've already given you my heart," he replied softly. "As you've given me yours. How could I not trust you with everything else? Besides," he added, a teasing glint suddenly reappearing in his eyes, "I expect the same in return soon."

"You've got it, Tom," Jason vowed, feeling his spent cock twitch with interest despite knowing they were both too tired to follow through. "Whenever and wherever you want, in whatever way."

Tommy just had to kiss him for that. "Oh, face-to-face will do," he said oh-so-innocently. "Or on your knees, sitting up, lying down ... over the kitchen table, on the couch, in the shower ... tomorrow, next week, each holiday ..."

"And with a partridge in a pear tree, too, I bet," Jason chuckled, all of a sudden feeling giddy with delight. "You dare to call me a sex fiend?"

Tommy just shrugged. "I can't help it if I want you always - and in all ways."

Jason felt his breath hitch. Swallowing down the lump forming in his throat as his imagination went into overdrive, he cleared his throat. "Okaaaaay ... how about tomorrow we simply start in my bed when you pick up your car at my place? We can always try more, um, interesting places another time."

Tommy pretended to seriously ponder the suggestion. "That'll work," he said judiciously, then grinned and hauled Jason into his arms with a sudden burst of energy. "Guess we finally got it right, huh?"

"Yeah," Jason laughed, reached for the blanket, drew it over both of them and settled his head comfortably on a convenient shoulder. He yawned, realizing that sleep was just lurking around the corner. "About time, too!"

"Uh huh. Who'd've thunk that we'd make it after a cattle drive, with me all sore, in a chintzy log cabin and with pink light?" Tommy mock-grumbled. "After all the preparation and stuff we did, too!"

"Told you we shouldn't make any more plans," Jason said smugly. "Hooray for spontaneity!"

"If you start cheering, I may have to kill you, sore back or not," Tommy threatened, but tightened his arms around Jason anyway. He listened to his even breaths, feeling the broad chest rise and fall against his side and pressed a kiss into the short dark hair.

"Guess I can thank that horse for bucking me off after all," he murmured around a yawn. "If you hadn't had to give me that massage ..."

Jason laughed soundlessly and gripped Tommy's hands, holding them tightly together. "If I'd known beforehand what that massage was gonna lead to and how great it'd be to fuck you at last ..." he trailed off.

Too tired and relaxed to realize he was being set up for a typical Jason-the-smartass comment, Tommy obligingly asked "Yes?"

"If I'd known all that - I'd have thrown you off a horse much sooner!"


To Be Continued ...