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Disclaimer: Not mine, no money made.
Note: Based on the LiveJournal PRSW 22 challenge - theme #12, 'losing control'.
Note II: On December 23rd, I got in the mood for some seasonal fluff (hence why it's a little late; I'd started writing the theme differently, but the characters were giving me trouble in it and this flowed more easily) that'll give you a flashback to an earlier part of the series. There may (or may not, I don't know yet!) other holiday-themed scenes or chapters which will be labeled accordingly if and when it happens. According to the series chronology, the flashback fits after chapter 7, 'Chilled And Ready' and references chapter 2, 'Sexy Beast'. :-) Hope you had indeed Happy Holidays, everyone, and all the best for 2007. May all your wishes and dreams come true! Feedback, as always, is appreciated. December 2006



More Than Friends And Brothers
Ch. 09: Happy Holidays


Tommy sighed in relief as he closed the door of his bedroom behind himself, kind of glad that the holidays were over for another year. It wasn't that he didn't love Christmas season; quite the contrary. He liked giving and receiving gifts and spending time with his family, but the longer he lived on his own, the harder it got to sit through the big bash his mother threw each year for friends, family and neighbors. He found watching football with the men boring, he was getting tired of every female over thirty trying to fix him up with yet another 'nice girl' they just happened to know - and most of all he resented not being able to share the holiday openly with Jason.

True, ever since the first year they'd become lovers they'd planned time together around family activities at Christmas, but having to hide the fact that he'd found the person he was increasingly sure he wanted to spend the rest of his life with - and that it was another man instead of a woman - got harder the longer it lasted. What was more, he knew Jason was feeling the same way. Something would have to be done about the situation, and soon.

Maybe this year.

It would mean making the final commitment to each other ... and more importantly, coming out to their friends and family. A scary thought in a lot of ways, as he had no idea how everybody might react. Tommy hoped people would want them to be happy. If not ... well, they'd cross that bridge together if and when they came to it. But the prospect seemed less insurmountable the longer they were together, the closer they grew.

We're gonna need to have a serious talk about this soon, Tommy decided as he prepared for bed. A quick shower sluiced away some of the tension a day spent first on the road from Angel Grove to Reefside, then at his desk had caused, and he felt considerably better as he slipped on a pair of pyjama bottoms and padded back to the kitchen once more for a nightcap. Once he'd returned to his sanctum, Tommy lay on the bed, placed the glass on his nightstand and was about to reach for a book when his hand brushed against a fold-up picture frame lying next to the lamp. Tommy hesitated for a second, then picked it up to look at the photograph. Like he'd done so often in the past, he studied the familiar image of his best friend and lover.

"I miss you, Jase," he murmured to himself. They'd made arrangements to go skiing over New Year's Eve, but that was still a couple of days ahead ... and in the meantime, he was feeling rather lonely in his empty house.

And horny. Man, I really wish you were here right now, Bro.

The glass covering the picture in his hand glinted in the light, and a slow smile was forming around Tommy's mouth as he caught sight of the time. It was barely eleven o'clock - not all that late, and there was a definite chance Jason might call him tonight. And if he didn't, Tommy decided to make the call himself; after all, the habit of engaging in some very special nighttime phone conversations had been started when Jason had given him the picture.

His smile widened as he remembered.

*


/Christmas Eve, 2005/

Jason took one last look around his apartment and decided that, yes, he was ready - as much as he ever would be. It really was ridiculous how nervous he felt over Tommy visiting him; after all, it wasn't the first time his best friend had come to his place, nor the first time they'd be exchanging presents. However, it was the first time they'd be doing the latter as lovers.

It was the afternoon of Christmas Eve, and as they'd both be spending the holidays with their families, both men had agreed to meet in private before going to their respective homes. Because of that, Jason had actually bothered to decorate his place for once.

A small live tree stood in a large, dark-pewter glazed pot in one corner, hung with blinking white fairy lights, red baubles and a gold garland. Only as he'd surveyed the tree once he was finished did it occur to Jason that he'd incorporated all of their combined Ranger colors, and he had to smile. Several fat candles were arranged on the coffee table, with more evergreens and red ribbon, and he'd borrowed a handmade wreath from his mother to hang on the door. A small ceramic oil lamp was on the window sill, and as soon as Jason lit the tea light, the scent of vanilla and spices mingled with the aroma coming from the large bowl of apples, nuts and oranges next to it. The platter of finger food he'd bought at a local deli was waiting in the kitchen, the table was set with the Chinese tea set Trini had given him a few years ago for his birthday, and the scones, homemade jam (both courtesy of his mother's kitchen) and cream looked positively scrumptious.

Jason resisted the urge to fidget; he'd prepared everything as best he could, and he only hoped that Tommy wouldn't think it too overly sentimental. Sighing, he glanced at his watch. Too late to change anything now, and it was almost time for Tommy to arrive anyway.

Unless he's gonna be late - again, he grinned to himself. Although to be honest, it might not be his fault; we couldn't predict how intense the holiday traffic was gonna be.

He needn't have worried; no sooner had he finished the thought, he could hear the sound of a car drawing up to his house. A quick peek out the window confirmed that it was indeed Tommy's black jeep parked under the street light opposite, and Jason could feel his pulse quicken. They wouldn't have the time to be intimate today, but nonetheless he was looking forward to spending a couple of quiet hours with the man he loved.

The door bell rang and Jason pressed the buzzer to let Tommy in, but had to wait as his landlady intercepted him at the foot of the stairs. He could hear Tommy exchange a few friendly words with Mrs. Keppel and took the time to check himself in the hallway mirror one last time. Jason had chosen to wear black slacks with a deep burgundy cashmere sweater, the collar of the white shirt he wore underneath providing an attractive contrast to his tanned skin and dark hair. Feeling a little embarrassed about his small surge of vanity, Jason hoped the overall effect would meet Tommy's approval.

Because he definitely liked the way his lover looked as he finally bounded up the stairs, dressed in a charcoal suit and dark-grey shirt. The only splash of color was the silk tie knotted casually around Tommy's neck.

"Hi," Jason said huskily as he let Tommy into his apartment and closed the door behind him.

"Hi yourself," Tommy murmured back, dropped the small parcel he'd been carrying onto the hallway shelf and drew Jason into a warm hug. "Mmm."

Laughing softly, Jason returned the embrace before nudging Tommy into a gentle yet thorough kiss. When it ended, he slowly opened his eyes ... and caught his first good look at Tommy's tie. Broad stripes of red and black were dotted with tiny, snow-covered fir trees. Jason had to chuckle and gave the silken length a teasing tug. "A Christmas tie? Very seasonal - and featuring all your Technicolor glory," he murmured with a smile.

Amused, Tommy grinned back and shrugged out of his jacket. "Blame Karen, David's fiancée. She gave all the men in the family themed ties last year. I'm just glad I escaped the one with the huge Santa-hatted snowman, or the one with the snowboarding reindeer."

Jason laughed and slipped one arm around his lover's shoulder, guiding him into the living room. "Really? How the hell did you keep a straight face when you unwrapped 'em?"

"By reminding myself that my brother is a Black Belt too and on a good day can kick my ass from here into tomorrow," Tommy replied dryly. "Especially when someone insults Karen."

"Uh, good reason."

"Yeah, that's what Dad and Uncle John figured as well. Mom and her sister nearly choked trying not to laugh, though."

The two men settled on the old futon serving as Jason's couch. With a contented sigh, Tommy leaned back. "Man, I'm glad the drive is over. There was some pretty heavy snow in the mountains, and I was afraid I'd have to put chains on the tires. Thankfully, it was only a 20-mile stretch or so."

"Your own fault for moving so far away," Jason said idly, but couldn't help the sad undertone in his voice. He missed Tommy; missed having his best friend around to talk to, to hang out with ... and the feeling had only gotten worse now that they'd become lovers.

"It's where my job is," Tommy shrugged. "It's not as if I had much choice in the matter."

"I know. I got lucky that Angel Grove High was hiring right when I started looking for a job. Still ... I just wish sometimes that Reefside were closer to here so we could see each other more," Jason confessed.

Tommy laid a comforting hand on the broad shoulder. "Yeah. I miss you too, Bro," he murmured. "Now more than ever." Dark eyes met his, and he smiled. "But at least we now have a reason to make the trip as often as possible, right?"

"Uh huh." Needing a little more tangible reassurance, Jason leaned forward to kiss Tommy. The warm lips opened readily for his tongue, and both men lost themselves in the gentle exchange. They kissed for a long while, letting their bodies touch and their hands roam where they would, but carefully skirted the edge of passion. As Tommy would have to leave soon, it wouldn't do to get carried away too far, no matter how much they might want to. And for some unspoken reason, neither was in the mood for a quickie.

The moment ended when Tommy's stomach growled, and Jason broke their kiss with an amused chuckle.

"When did you turn into Rocky?" he laughed. "He's the one with the bottomless pit for a stomach!"

"Hey, it's been a long drive, and the snow delayed me enough; I didn't want to stop for burgers," Tommy explained with a rueful grin. "I haven't eaten since breakfast."

"Good thing I can feed you then, isn't it?" Jason smiled and got up. Holding out a hand, he waited until Tommy stood as well. "Come on."

"Thanks. Just a bite or two, though," Tommy said. "Mom'll kill me if I don't do justice to her dinner."

"Don't worry, it's just tea and cookies," Jason replied. "We're just having cold stuff and salads after church, but I wouldn't want to miss that, either."

"Sounds just about perfect. Anything I can do to help?"

"Not really; it'll only take a minute or so until everything's done. Why don't you put on some music, though?"

"Sure."

Tommy wandered over to the stereo and riffled through his friend's CD collection as Jason vanished into the kitchen and set water to boiling. Soon, the tea was steeping and he carried the pot to the dining table, lighting the candle in the warmer. Tommy had chosen a collection of contemporary Christmas songs, and the upbeat yet mellow tunes filled the room.

"All done," Jason said and pulled out his chair. "You ready, Bro?"

"For your mother's cookies? Always," Tommy grinned and joined him. "I don't suppose you baked these yourself?"

Jason laughed as he slid two scones on his plate and handed the rest to his lover. "I wish. Nah, I can cook basic stuff alright, Mom made sure of that, but baking is way out of my league. Don't tell me you can do better!"

"Not cookies or fancy cakes, but I do a mean banana bread," Tommy boasted, helping himself.

"Yeah, right."

"Want me to prove it to you?"

Somehow, the idea of Tommy being so domestic just for him sent a feeling of warmth into Jason's stomach. "I'd like that," he said softly.

"Next time you come over, then," Tommy promised and bit into his first scone with gusto, barely avoiding to dribble jam on his tie. "Mmm, this is great," he mumbled through his mouthful.

"Yeah. It's even better with clotted cream, but I haven't seen any of that outside of England."

"So Kat used to tell me when she was still in London. Personally, I think it sounds kind of disgusting. Like cream gone bad?"

"Nope, it's just really firm and sweet. Incredibly tasty ... fattening, though," Jason grinned. "But let's not think of all the extra exercise we're gonna need after the holidays, okay?"

Tommy pulled a face and groaned comically. "Like every year, you mean? Sure."


*

Leisurely, they finished their simple meal, conversing quietly yet animatedly about the things that had happened since they'd last seen each other. When they were done, they carried their plates into the kitchen and returned to the living area with a small brandy each. Tommy made a slight detour into the hallway to pick up the present he'd brought for Jason. As he sank back down onto the couch, he noticed that Jason, too, had a wrapped gift ready for him.

"Merry Christmas, Bro," Tommy murmured, handing over his gift.

"Thanks." Curiously, Jason untied the ribbon and lifted the lid off the small cardboard box. Inside, he found a black leather wallet with careful hand-tooling.

"So you noticed that my old wallet is on its last legs, huh?" he smiled and picked it up to admire the design. It showed a fierce mountain lion's head surrounded by leafy vines. "Hey, are those my initials?" Indeed, the letters JLS had been cunningly worked into it.

"They are," Tommy confirmed. "A friend of David's does work like this, and I asked him to personalize it."

"It's beautiful - and incredibly well made; almost too good to carry every day. But I will!" Jason examined the wallet more closely. "Why a lion's head, though?"

"Well ... I thought of a dragon first - you know, to represent your Dragon Thunderzord, and because I know you like dragons and what they represent in the various cultures, but ... somehow it didn't quite feel right. Then, I was still talking it over with Dave's friend, Sam happened to come in and mentioned that he always thought you had a lion's spirit - and things just seemed to click. So I went with that."

"Wow." Blushing with pleasure, Jason ran his thumb over the smooth leather. There was a small bump, and he opened the coin pouch. Inside, he found a plain key. Puzzled, he held it up. "What's that for?"

Now it was Tommy's turn to blush. I hope I'm not presuming too much ... "It's a spare key to my house," he said softly. "I want you to be able to come inside - to me - whenever you want. Because you'll always be welcome."

Jason had to swallow hard to lose the lump suddenly forming in his throat. "I ... I don't know what to say, Bro," he murmured huskily. The amount of trust and love Tommy was showing him through such a plain item nearly took his breath away.

"How about just 'thanks'?" Tommy asked with a slight smile. He could see that Jason was more than pleased by his gift.

"That hardly seems enough ..."

"Trust me, it is."

"In that case ... thank you." Jason leaned over and kissed him, letting his lips say silently what he couldn't express in words. Afterwards, he nearly hesitated to reach for his own gift to Tommy. Compared to what he'd just received, it seemed rather inadequate. But as he had nothing else ... "This is for you," Jason said, somewhat needlessly. "It's nothing great, really, just ... here. Merry Christmas." He almost thrust the brightly-wrapped parcel at his friend.

"Hey, it's not about worth or anything," Tommy reassured him. "As long as you like your present, that's perfectly fine. And I'm sure I'll like mine just as much."

"I hope so," Jason mumbled. Then, louder, "So open it."

"I think I should be the one being impatient, not you," Tommy laughed, but he had a hard time refraining from tearing the wrapping paper from the flat rectangle. When he unfolded the flaps, he could see the back of what was obviously a picture frame ... turned it over and gasped.

The plain frame consisted of inch-wide slats of black-stained wood and had a gilt ornament set with several golden amber beads in one corner. It looked classy and elegant, but it was the picture it held that instantly captivated Tommy's attention. He found himself staring at an 8x10" photograph of Jason pressed against a rare white tiger. It had obviously been taken against the very background of the calendar picture he'd drooled over several years ago - the one that had first made him fantasize sexually about his best friend. The only differences, aside from the fact that here Jason was with a tiger instead of a lion, were color film having been used instead of black-and-white ... and that Jason's loincloth was missing.

He was, in fact, completely nude.

Only a shadow fortuitously cast by the tiger's head concealed the most salient part of the muscular body. If one added the contrast of Jason's tanned skin with the white fur, the sultry look he was directing at the camera and the lush jungle-like backdrop, the visual impact was, in one word, stunning.

Tommy felt his control wavering as a shiver started deep within himself and his body tightened. If the calendar picture had said sensuality, this one screamed pure lust.

"Aw, man," he breathed. "That's ... wow. Where'd you get that?"

"From my old fraternity," Jason explained, reassured by Tommy's obvious fascination. "Actually, the one you already saw was part of a whole series. You, ah, seemed to like it, so I contacted the calendar's editors about the rest. We all were photographed in several poses, and sometimes with different animals - like me. The editors just thought this one was too, um, risqué."

"More like too hot," Tommy murmured, trying not to squirm with sudden desire. "I'll have to put it into my bedroom; no way am I letting anyone else see this!"

That was an idea that made Jason's palms begin to sweat. If Tommy had felt the urge to masturbate over the first, far more innocuous picture of him in a loincloth and just looking at a lion, what was he going to do with this one - a photo that showed him naked and entangled with what used to be Tommy's signature animal? Especially now that he need no longer feel guilty about fantasizing ... or do more than just that?

"Really?"

"Oh yeah." Tommy looked up from the picture with barely-checked fire in his eyes, then reached out and drew Jason into a hard, passionate kiss. His hand dropped to Jason's lap and pressed against the ridge he could feel hardening under his palm.

Moaning into Tommy's mouth, his tongue dueling with its counterpart, Jason told restraint and caution to take a hike and reciprocated, squeezing the throbbing column he found straining inside his lover's pants. Instinctively, Tommy bucked into the now-familiar touch. Both men shifted until they were fully in each other's arms. Their hips ground against each other as they quickly lost themselves in a frenzy of hot, wet kisses, tantalizing hands and sensual caresses. Only the muted click of the stereo shutting off, the distant ringing of church bells and a slammed car door on the street outside combined succeeded in breaking the lustful daze clouding their minds.

"Jase, no," Tommy groaned when Jason's lips slid away from his mouth and he began to lick and nip his way down his throat. Knowing that he couldn't just put all responsibility for their sudden lack of control at his partner's feet, he reluctantly removed his hand from Jason's groin and pushed against the broad chest. "We gotta stop," he panted, fighting to let sanity make a comeback.

Midnight-dark eyes opened, smoky with heat. "Why?" Jason murmured. "Do you know I was thinking about you all during the photo shoot? I really wanted to be lying naked against your back, your skin against mine, when I was straddling that tiger. And when I was posing with the lion, I wanted to be on my knees before /you/, and I so wanted you in my mouth ... like I want you now."

The lusty rumble in the deep voice made Tommy tremble with need. The temptation to give in, to forget everything but the two of them together, to make love /now/, was nigh irresistible. How he ever managed to do it anyway, Tommy never knew. His own voice was unsteady as he regretfully shook his head and gently disentangled himself from his best friend's arms.

"We really can't, Jase," he sighed. "God knows I want you, but I've got to leave in a few minutes, and you know your folks are expecting you soon as well."

Jason fell back against the futon's back rest with a muffled curse and wiped shaky fingers across his forehead. "Shit," he grumbled. "I swore I wasn't going to do that, but ..."

"Do what?"

"Start what we just did," Jason said, sending a wry, self-deprecating look at his best friend. "Sorry. But when I started imagining what you might be doing with my picture in your bedroom, I kinda lost it."

He wasn't too far from the truth, either, although Tommy would rather die than admit it. "Who says I'm gonna do /anything/?" he blustered, only to get a knowing smirk in return.

"Aren't you?"

"Is that why you gave me the picture?" Tommy asked, suddenly suspicious. "You want me to jerk off over it?" He had the satisfaction of seeing Jason blush, but he never looked away as he nodded once slowly.

"No way!"

Jason shrugged and smiled wryly. "Why wouldn't you? Tom, we're living apart from each other for weeks on end sometimes. That totally sucks, but except for visiting back and forth on weekends and holidays there's nothing we can do about it. We'll just have to live with it. Do you honestly want to be celibate all that time? I know I don't - and now I have reality, not just a fantasy to dream about when all I have for company and relief is my good right hand. I remember things you do to me, and what I've been doing to you whenever I'm going solo. I can recall the smell of your skin, how you taste and feel ... I also know how fantastic your hands and mouth feels on me ... and that's an incredible turn-on. Is it really so different for you?"

"Um, no," Tommy admitted a little sheepishly, realizing that one part of his mind was already starting to plot when, where and how he would make use of the steamy images provoked by the sensual photographs. He briefly wondered if he should tell Jason that he'd ordered the calendar's reprint the next year just so he could get a legitimate copy of the first picture, but decided against it; no need to provide Jason with even better ammunition to confirm his assumptions.

"Didn't think so," Jason nodded, giving his lover's shoulder a brief squeeze. "So why does it surprise you that it's incredibly hot for me to fantasize about you touching yourself? I even hope that one day you'll let me watch - and until then, if giving you a picture of me in the buff helps you get off, that's fine by me."

Tommy found himself getting hot under the collar as he pictured pleasuring himself in front of Jason. Aw, man, he's right - that is a real turn-on! He gulped. "Maybe you should've given me a real nudie, then," he quipped to cover his reaction. "Full frontal, and everything!"

"If I'd had one, I would've," Jason replied, his eyes glittering. "Maybe you'd like to snap a few pictures like that one of these days ...?"

"Of you performing for me?" Tommy asked before he could check himself - and nearly lost control all over again at the mere idea. He instinctively pictured himself watching from a distance as the strong hands would reach for the hardening cock, stroke it to its full length and cradle the heavy balls in their black-furred sac. Tommy felt his fingers twitch and his own cock rise. He couldn't say if he'd be able to sit back and do nothing - but he also was unsure whether he'd just take over and devour his lover himself or copy every move, making Jason watch him simultaneously. He barely swallowed a needy moan.

Impossibly, Jason's eyes turned even darker. "If that's what you want," he said simply.

Tommy groaned. "Oh hell. You wanna know what I /want/? Try ripping off your clothes and fuck you into next year if you don't stop talking like that," he said roughly. "But I can't, not only because that's not the way I want our first time to happen ... but also because Mom is gonna kill me if I miss dinner and church tonight."

Jason laughed weakly as he tried to catch his breath; this was the first indication Tommy was giving him that he might want to take their relationship a step further. "Like dying from blue balls is gonna be any better? 'Cause it's either that or jump your bones right here, right now and damn the consequences if we both don't stop!"

They were entering dangerous territory again, and Tommy abruptly stood up. He had to get away from temptation, or he'd really lose control and do precisely what he'd just said he wouldn't.

*

"I'd better go now," he rasped, his expression putting the lie to what he was saying. Jason shivered at the raw desire he could read in the chocolate-colored gaze raking his body. "It ... it's almost time, anyway."

"I guess," Jason sighed, slowly levering himself up from the couch as well. His erection was pressing visibly against the front of his pants, but he didn't mind if Tommy saw the effect he was having on him. He inhaled deeply and tried to dispel the charged atmosphere with a little humor. "I take it you like my present, then?"

Tommy chuckled and bent to pick up the picture frame. His fingers shook slightly as he ran them over the glass covering the photo. "I love it. I just wish I could show it to my folks - Mom's gonna be curious for sure - but I'd rather not answer the questions she'll have if she got a look at this."

"Hmm, yeah, could be awkward," Jason agreed with a small grin.

"To say the least."

The obvious solution was to put a more innocent picture into the frame, which was ornamental and valuable enough to qualify as a gift of its own. But where to get one? An idea occurred to Jason. "Hang on a minute, I think I have a solution." He quickly walked to the bookcase occupying part of one wall and drew a cloth-bound album from the bottom shelf. He flipped through the pages.

"Kim gave me the scrapbook when I graduated from High School; you were off racing at the time, I think, so you might not have seen ... ah, here it is!" Jason carefully pried off a similarly-sized photo and handed it to Tommy. "Think this'll do as a cover?"

It was a picture Tommy vaguely remembered having been snapped by Ernie the first year he'd come to Angel Grove. In it, he saw the original Ranger team, with Jason and him standing in the center as they laughed at the photographer. They were dressed in red and green respectively, his hair was just growing out into his ponytail, and they all looked impossibly young and carefree. As his arm was slung casually around Jason's shoulder, it was an intimate yet sufficiently casual gift he could safely show to his parents. "It's perfect," Tommy murmured. "Wonder why I never got a copy."

"Kim still wasn't sure about how you stood with her then, and maybe she just forgot afterwards. Anyway, take it," Jason said simply. "I have a smaller version that I used to have on my desk at college; I can always have an enlargement made of that and replace this."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Want me to sign it for you?" Jason teased, and was touched when his lover nodded.

"Please?"

"Sure." Taking the picture back, Jason went to his desk and rummaged for a pen. Thinking for a minute, he finally wrote a few words across the bottom and handed it to Tommy. "Here."

Tommy read the short inscription. 'Thank you, my friend, for becoming the brother I never had. Love, Jason.' It summed up their relationship perfectly. At a loss for words, too choked-up to speak, Tommy just removed the back of the frame and carefully placed the picture over the other. "I love it," he said quietly as he regarded the frame after putting it together again. "If you don't mind, I'll get another frame for the original to take to my bedroom; I'll want this out where I and everyone can always see it."

Meaning he is planning to use the other picture for some, um, private inspiration, Jason realized and had to draw a shuddering breath at the implication. Man, I wish I had something like that for myself! But he couldn't say that - not if he wanted to preserve any chance of letting Tommy leave tonight.

"Of course I don't mind," he just said, then couldn't resist adding "But you know I'll be having all kinds of ideas about what you're gonna do with the picture on your nightstand, don't you?"

Tommy snorted softly. "Like I won't be imagining you jerking off either, now?"

Jason closed his eyes briefly as he had to suppress a shiver of excitement at the thought. When he looked back at his lover, a promise glinted in the dark depths. "I will if you do."

"What, simultaneously?"

"Yeah, why not," Jason drawled, slipping in a quick grope as he kissed Tommy one last time.

"How?" Tommy asked, drawing the muscular body against him as he returned the kiss.

Jason grinned mischievously as inspiration struck. "Ever thought about having phone sex?"

*

Tommy drew a deep breath as he remembered that first intimate call; they'd both been rather self-conscious in the beginning, but that feeling had faded as soon as Jason's deep, husky voice had started to murmur explicit suggestions in his ear.

Absently, he traced Jason's nude form in the picture with a fingertip. If he concentrated really hard, he could almost feel the texture of his lover's skin; if Jason were here with him now, he'd arch and stretch into the caress and tell him to ...

The buzz of his bedside phone derailed Tommy's train of thought, and with a sigh he let the frame drop onto the sheet beside him. Hoping that it was indeed the call he was waiting for, he picked up the receiver. "Yes?"

"Hi, Tom."

"Jase," Tommy smiled, feeling his pulse quicken. "I thought it might be you."

Jason laughed, a low, intimate sound. "Yeah, well, I couldn't wait another two nights to speak with you."

"Uh huh. I was about to call you in another ten minutes or so if you hadn't beat me to it."

"Were you now?"

"Yes. I miss you," Tommy murmured.

"Ditto," Jason said softly.

Tommy smiled and shifted on his bed, getting more comfortable. "So, how was visiting with your cousin? Jeremy, wasn't it?"

"Yep. It was good to see everybody again."

They talked idly for a few minutes as Jason gave him a brief recap of the last few days' activities. When they'd brought each other fully up-to-date, though, his voice adopted a teasing tone. "Hey, aren't you at all curious what I've got planned for our trip?"

"Aside from hitting the slopes and having a great dinner on New Year's Eve, you mean?"

"Uh huh."

Tommy had a pretty good idea; if he knew Jason at all, any plans he'd made most likely involved the same things he intended to do ... and they all centered on the king-size bed they'd specified in the reservation. "Well ... maybe a little," he admitted. The idea of having Jason tell him what he wanted to do with and to him was enough to send a spark of electricity directly into his groin. He didn't need to look down to see he was getting erect.

"Care to give me a hint?" He tried to sound nonchalantly innocent tone, but knew he wasn't successful when the deep voice coming from the phone tucked against his ear shook with gentle laughter.

"Do you want a hint?"

"Actually, I want more than that," Tommy admitted roughly, his need for his lover overwhelming the desire to keep things light. "I want ..."

"You want ... what, Bro?" Jason repeated, sounding huskier than before. "Go on, tell me - please?" Usually he was the more verbal partner in this, their special version of pillow talk, but if Tommy was in the mood, he was more than willing to follow his lead. When there was only silence from Reefside, Jason prompted gently. "Are you in bed yet?"

"Yes."

"Were you looking at the picture I gave you again?"

"Maybe," Tommy hedged with just a touch of coyness. He didn't fool Jason, though.

"I was hoping you would. - Are you naked?"

Tommy chuckled at the hopeful tone and found himself blushing slightly at the bold question. "Not quite. I'm wearing pyjama bottoms."

"I am. Take them off for me?"

Tommy's breath caught. This was what he'd been waiting for - the game they'd started playing after that first Christmas. It happened rarely throughout the year, but fairly regularly around the various holidays, especially over Christmas when family obligations often kept them separate. He shivered in anticipation even as he reached for the elastic waistband. "Okay."

It wasn't easy to squirm out of the loose pants without losing the phone, but practice had taught him how exactly to wedge it between his shoulder and the pillow so that he could still listen to his lover's voice ... and leave both his hands free. Kicking his nightwear to the floor at last, Tommy dimmed his lamp with a single touch. "Done," he murmured.

"Mmm. I wish I could see you now."

Thinking of the fire in Jason's eyes when he was kneeling next to him just before they made love had Tommy swallow. "Yeah, me too," he breathed.

"Are you hard yet?"

"G-getting there." Indeed, just anticipation of what was to come along with the low, intimate words managed to fill and stretch his cock.

"If I was there with you, I'd lick your nipples now," Jason continued. "And twist them between my fingers the way you like ... you're so sensitive there, it's incredible. Just the thought of biting 'em and have you buck up is giving me a hard-on, too. I bet they're all swollen now, aren't they?"

"I-I guess."

"Go on, pinch them. Make them hard like your cock." He had switched from asking to commanding, but was doing so gently, lovingly - and Tommy eagerly obeyed.

Tommy's hands were already skimming across his own chest, teasing the brown nubs until they contracted into tiny pinpoints of sensation. He moaned as he drew the edge of a fingernail across his right nipple, wishing it was Jason's teeth instead.

"That's it, Bro ... don't stop quite yet. I'm playing with my nipples, too, thinking it's you sucking on me. You'll do that day after tomorrow, just before I fuck you. Right?"

"Yeaaah ..."

Jason laughed softly into the phone, his breathing noticeably faster as well. "Can't wait. Now, I want you to use your hand - just one, go on doing what you're doing with the other - and take hold of your cock."

Tommy's moans grew louder as he complied, folding his fingers around himself. His shaft was stretched to its full length already, and the familiar feel of silken skin against his palm was exciting. He longed to run his thumb across the flaring crown, spreading the moisture oozing from the tip.

"Do you need lotion?"

It would be easier to masturbate with some kind of lubrication, but Tommy didn't want to let go even the minute it would take to reach for the bottle in his drawer; he'd make do.

"No," he breathed, fighting the urge to squeeze and pump.

"Good. I'm hard for you as well, Tom. Now start stroking yourself, slow and easy, like I'm doing with myself now. And imagine it's my hand around your dick ..."

Tommy's moans got louder as he followed Jason's lead, his inner vision focusing on the image of the strong body lying on a bed back in Angel Grove, a light sheen of sweat defining the broad chest and muscled thighs. It made his heart beat even faster and the longing to be with his lover, to hold him and be held, even stronger. He picked up the tempo of his strokes.

"I'm playing with my balls now, Tom. I'm cradling them in my left hand while I'm pumping my cock with my right. I'm getting all slick with come now, and I keep thinking how much I want your mouth on me now. You've gotten so good at giving blow-jobs, you're so incredible when you swallow my cock all the way and I just love watching your tongue lick around the head. I can't wait until we're together, when I can fuck your mouth deep and hard until I shoot my load down your throat - and when you're done, I'll have you suck me some more until I'm hard again and can fuck your tight ass. Can you feel it, Bro? Can you imagine what it's gonna be like when I have your legs over my shoulders and ride you until you're too sore to sit?"

He wasn't supposed to move faster, or without Jason telling him what to do next; he knew he should be waiting until they were both on the brink of orgasm before he gave that final stroke. But Tommy didn't care anymore; his world had narrowed down to Jason's voice panting in his ear as he painted such a vivid picture with his words, guiding him into ecstasy across the miles.

"I'll fuck you face to face and lift your ass high enough that I can suck on your cockhead while I'm doing so; you'll be rolling your balls in one hand at the same time, and squeeze your cock just so you won't come just yet. I'll be buried deep within you when I come, and then I'll pull out and get on my hands and knees for you so you can fuck me..."

Tommy's fingers were a blur of movement as he lost it. He still heard Jason, but the words were nothing but a sensual rumble, their cadence dictating the tempo with which he thrust again and again into his fist. Instinctively, Tommy lifted his hips upward as he rushed towards his climax, and when he crested the dam at last a primal cry burst from his throat.

"JASE!"

The frantic strokes stopped as Tommy's seed spurted from his cock, coating his fingers, and he sank back down onto the mattress, gasping for air. "Uungh," he groaned, dizzy and spent. Awareness returned only gradually, and with it the sound of heavy breathing against his ear.

"J-jase?" he murmured, still out of breath and his voice raw.

"I'm here," Jason rasped. "Did you just come?"

"Uh, yeah. Sorry. I know I should've waited for you to tell me, but ... what you said got me so revved, I couldn't help myself," Tommy explained rather sheepishly. He was beginning to feel pleasantly exhausted as his skin cooled down and his heartbeat returned to a steadier rhythm. He reflected that there was no better feeling in the world than this. Well ... with the exception of actually fucking Jase or getting fucked by him.

"Doesn't matter. In fact, I kinda like it that you lost control, forgot everything and just went ahead."

If he concentrated, Tommy thought he could hear the faint sound of flesh gliding on flesh underneath as he listened to Jason's roughened baritone. It was obvious that his lover was still continuing whatever he'd been doing, and Tommy had no problem visualizing the scenario. The thick rod of flesh he knew so well by now would be hard and pulsating with need, and he experienced an urge to fill his mouth with the flaring head. Unfortunately, that would have to wait another two days.

"How about you?" he murmured, swallowing the saliva pooling in his mouth as he imagined wrapping his lips and tongue around Jason's cock.

"Almost there," Jason panted, then moaned. "Shit, I wish you were here!"

"Want me to, er, help you?" Tommy knew he wasn't nearly as good at verbalizing his desires as Jason, but he was certainly willing. After the mind-blowing orgasm he'd just experienced through Jason's vivid imagery (and his own hands, but it almost hadn't seemed that way), it was the least he could do to make the offer.

A breathless chuckle drifted through the phone line. "Thanks, Bro - but no. Just listen to me come, okay?"

"Sure." The faint, familiar sounds of someone masturbating drifted towards him, making him shiver.

Jason was gasping now. "Man. I can almost see you lying right next to me, watching as I jerk off. You'd have your head propped on one hand, and with the other you'd be playing with your cock and balls. Nothing major, just showing me that you're waiting for me."

"It's only a couple of days until we meet up in the mountains, Bro," Tommy promised. "I'll be there ready, willing and able for whatever you have in mind."

"All I'm having on my mind right now is you and how fast I can come," Jason groaned between deep, shuddering breaths. "I need to fuck you so bad, Tommy!"

Tommy closed his eyes as his own need for his lover's presence, warm skin and firm body made itself felt. And it gave him the inspiration for the perfect way to greet Jason at the resort two days hence.

"If I make it to the cabin before you, I'll be waiting for you at the door - completely naked, already lubed up and raring to go," Tommy promised huskily. "In fact, if you want me to, I'll have you in my mouth as soon as we close the door."

There was a muffled shout from Jason, and Tommy realized that his promise had been enough to send him over the edge as well. Feeling inordinately pleased with himself, he waited until the soft moans quieted.

"You okay, Bro?" he smiled, knowing the answer already.

"Never been better unless I was really with you," Jason laughed breathlessly. "Whoa. That was intense."

"It helped, though, didn't it?"

"Oh yeah. And don't think I won't hold you to it, Tom - you just managed to hit on one of my favorite fantasies, and my previous plans went right out the window!"

Truth be told, so had Tommy's. But he didn't mind; he liked the new one much better anyway. At one time, the thought of doing something so blatantly sexual with anyone would've been enough to cause Tommy a serious case of the jitters - from embarrassment to sheer performance anxiety. Nowadays, thanks to Jason's loving, patient tutelage in the fine art of sexual freedom and exhibitionism, all he felt was a frisson of excitement at the idea. He liked giving up control to Jason sometimes, like he'd done earlier during their mutual jerk-off session and like he'd promised to be doing for at least part of the time on their skiing trip. Tommy knew that his best friend would never abuse the privilege - and he'd reap his own reward the next time Jason was in a submissive mood.

"Well, in that case ... I'll be happy to serve," he murmured with just a hint of provocation.

"You will, Bro," Jason vowed. "I'll make sure you enjoy it."

"I know," Tommy smiled. "Only two more days."

"Way too long."

"I agree. But shorter than before the holidays."

"Well, yeah. And it's getting late," Jason sighed. "Good night, Tom."

"Good night. Sleep well."

"I'm sure I will -- now. You, too."

The phone call ended, and Tommy finished his drink. He no longer was in the mood to read; having his mind filled with the voice and images of his lover would be more than enough. He slipped under the blanket and turned off the light, letting the last remnants of post-coital lassitude flood his body as he drifted off to sleep, his eyes lingering on the photograph Jason had given him and that had started this tradition. Hopefully, he'd even dream of Jason, and how they'd have the best New Year ever.

They did.




To Be Continued ...