Date: Wed, 6 May 2020 20:26:14 +0000 (UTC)
From: rw6789@aol.com
Subject: "A Trial Of Strength" - Part 512  by Rob Williams

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 512
By Rob Williams

Chapter 512 – "BROTHERS UNDER THE SKIN"

IN THIS CHAPTER:

The brawny construction worker Seth, and handsome, buff fireman Jason could
not be more different from each other, but they strike up a friendship and
bond like brothers.  Just two good, close buddies, they casually experiment
with mutual body-worship that leads to more.  In the end they discover
that, despite their differences and whatever the desires of the flesh, they
will always be brothers under the skin.

___________________________________________________________________


<><> IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER <><>

Grady, the heartthrob star of the blockbuster Tarzan movies, was having the
time of his life.  He and his Italian lover Mario were throwing a major
party for the tribe at their opulent home, the Grady House, and Grady and
his boy (and co-conspirator) Brian, sat on the terrace watching the action.
Mario had earlier described then as "a Greek Chorus" at the side of the
stage commentating on what's going on in the play."

"OK, kiddo," Grady said, "so what's the scoop?  Where's the action gonna be
d'you think?"

"Well, sir, as I see it there's a lot of possibilities.  See, Mario told me
that these Grady House parties for the whole tribe bring the devil out in
them.  It's a place for them to let off steam after the pressure of the
work-week.  Mario says they do stuff here they'd never do anyplace else."

Grady beamed.  "But that's what I love, Brian – I love the house being
used like that – a refuge from the world, like it is for me. It's an
oasis of love and lust, a world all its own.  And Mario is right, all these
guys have the devil in them somewhere and I love watching it come out.  The
crazier they act the more I like it.  And I can act as silly as I like and
be treated as just one of the guys instead of all that rich-and-famous
celebrity nonsense.

"So, kiddo, rushing around the way you do, you hear and see it all.  I know
how you boys all talk, and you keep your ear to the ground ... so what's
the buzz?"

"Well, sir, the latest buzz is about ... wait for it ..."

"Drum roll," Grady grinned, drumming his fists on his knees.

"It's about Seth and Jason of all people."

Grady's jaw dropped.  "Those two?  But I've never seen them together –
they're such opposites.  I mean, they're both smoking hot but in different
ways.

"Jason is this drop-dead gorgeous fireman featured in a calendar, the
August page as I recall," Grady grinned slyly.  "I once told Jason I jerked
off over that picture and he told me he jacked off looking at those
underwear billboards I used to be on.  Kiddo, mutual admiration don't get
any better than that. `Course, Jason's also famous for jacking off looking
at himself in the mirror, at that flawless physique.  I think narcissism
like that is kinda hot but I can't see Seth going for it.

"Now there you have a guy who don't give a shit what he looks like, which
is what makes him so butch and so sexy.  Don't get me wrong, Seth is hotter
`n a pistol too with that muscular construction-worker build, square,
stubbled jaw and shaggy hair.  He's a total wildman and when he fucked me
... wow, I was seeing stars ... and it wasn't even dark.  Anyway, kid,
what's the dirt on those two?"

"Well that's just it, sir, we don't know.  Nobody knows, not even their
boys Ben and Will.  But the talk started when they arrived at this party
together.  We just thought they met by chance at the gate, but when Will
asked his dad Seth why he had arrived with Jason, you know what he said?"
Brian paused for effect and Grady waited with bated breath. "He said,
casual as you like, `Oh, I was down at Jason's place and we decided to
share a truck."

"I see what you mean ... more questions than answers, eh?  Like, what was
he doing at Jason's place down there by the arroyo?  When the cat's away
... with Will and Ben up here for the night, did Seth and Jason spend the
night together down there?  And what did they do...?"

"Well, sir, if they spent the night together, what do you think they did?"

"Yeah, dumb question," Grady smiled.  "You'll keep on top of this, won't
you? Could be a major story."  In the meantime they focused on the rugged
Marine Hassan in intimate conversation at the outdoor bar with Tommy, the
young blond gymnast who was tending bar. "Looks like Hassan and Tommy are
making out – they're gonna get it on."

Sure enough the two men went off together to a clump of trees where, hidden
from view, Hassan pushed Tommy against a tree and reamed his gorgeous
gymnast butt.  Hassan's boy Eddie, concealed in the bushes, surreptitiously
filmed the pornographic spectacle of the swarthy Arab soldier pounding the
ass of the all-American blond athlete.

Afterwards Grady said to Eddie, "You filmed it ... all of it?  You little
beauty.  Hey, later on can we show the video in the screening room
downstairs?  And Brian, you will keep tabs on the Seth/Jason thing, won't
you, and see what they're up to?  I have a feeling there's a big story in
there somewhere.  I love you, kiddo, we make a great team, so be sure to
keep me posted."

"Don't I always, sir?" Brandon grinned happily.

========= CHAPTER 512 =========

<><> EDDIE SWEET-TALKS HASSAN <><>

As the tribe gathered for the opulent buffet lunch set out by the chefs,
Grady and Brian repeatedly exchanged conspiratorial glances when they saw
various interactions between the men and boys of the large group.

By now everyone had gathered and there were many reunion hugs, especially
with Uncle Mike and Larry who made only occasional visits to the city from
their home in Palm Springs.

However, the tribe's grapevine extended as far as Palm Springs, thanks
largely to young Eddie, known locally as the town-crier.  So they greeted
Grady warmly and made sly references to his recent "therapy" with Doctor
Chad.  And Larry pumped Brian for information on the mystery surrounding
Seth and Jason the fireman.

Mike and Larry were pleased and amused to learn that they had not entirely
missed out on the earlier homoerotic sexual encounter between the Marine
Hassan and golden-boy Tommy. Eddie had filmed it and the video's premiere
showing was in the works for later that afternoon in the Grady House
viewing room.

During lunch Eddie ran breathlessly up to Grady.  "Sir, the video's ready
in the screening room and it looks great."

"Well done, Eddie," Grady smiled.  "We'll announce a showing after lunch,
eh Mario?"

"Certamente," provided you have obtained releases from the two men in it."

"Obtained what, sir?"

Grady explained.  "Kiddo, when the studio publicity guys take a picture of
me with fans that they want to use for promotion, they get releases from
the fans before they can use the picture."

"But this is just for us guys, sir."

"Same principle," said Mario.  "And it's only fair, Eddie.  Maybe the men
don't want their private scene to be made public."

"Tommy does, sir," Eddie protested, "and he's the one who took it up the
butt and begged for more.  He told me he's all for it, he wants everyone to
see."

"Well amico, Tommy is something of an exhibitionist and loves to display
that perfect ass.  But Hassan is a soldier, keeps stuff like this to
himself.  He may not want his sexual exploits to be put on display, however
great they make him look."

Eddie looked crestfallen and Mario said.  Non disperare, Eddie.  Come, we
will go talk to him."

Hassan was helping himself to food at the buffet table when they
approached.  "Sir," Eddie said, clearing his throat and looking at the
Marine with what he hoped was a winsome expression.  Hassan turned and
smiled, recognizing the look that meant Eddie wanted something special. "Er
... er Mario wants to ask you something, sir."

"Chicken," Mario teased him, then gave Hassan one of his gleaming smiles.
"Capitano, Eddie has something of a confession and a related question, as a
courtesy to you."

"Oh he does," Hassan said sternly.  Then, with a gleam in his eye, "If the
confession is about filming Tommy and me in the bushes, no need, I already
know.  He always thinks he's expert at keeping hidden but I can always
sense when he's there, I know him too well.  So how about the question?
Can't you speak for yourself, punk – cat got your tongue?  Nah, that
would be a first.  Usually I can't stop you talking, and now I have to wind
you up?"

"Sorry, sir, it's just I'm a bit scared.  Sometimes you ... well, you know,
you can be a bit fierce, like, you remember that time when you ...?"
Hassan glared at Eddie, then grinned at Mario.  "OK, OK, sir, sorry, too
much information.  Er, thing is, sir, I have it all set up in the big
screening room downstairs, but Grady says before we all watch I have to get
a ... a relief ...?"

"Release, Eddie," Mario prompted.

"Yeah, that's the one, a release ... sort of permission to show the video
in public."

Hassan frowned.  "Show me, banging Tommy?  Hell no.  That was a private
fuck job, it's why we did it in the bushes, for privacy.  Anyway who in the
hell would wanna sit through a video of a Marine butt-fucking a young
gymnast like Tommy?"

"Duh!  Just about everyone – every last one of them, man and boy.  That
video would be a major hit, right up in the top ten, sir.  You gotta let me
screen it sir.  See, I'm the director, cameraman and editor, it's some of
my finest work – and some of your finest work to, sir, if I may say so.
We owe it to the tribe ..."

"Enough!"  Hassan was one of the few men who could stop Eddie talking with
one word.  But this is what he loved about his boy – his youthful
enthusiasm, outsized energy and his natural talent to seduce by
exaggeration.  Hassan arched an eyebrow at Mario.  "What do you think about
this, buddy?"

Mario trod carefully.  "Well, amico, Eddie may be overplaying the promotion
of his movie – like those old-fashioned movie trailers that screamed
`Colossal ... Stupendous'.  But he's right about one thing.  I'm sure that,
in the spirit of the party, the guys would all love to see it.  And it
would help make our party a success."

Hassan laughed.  "You're as bad as Eddie, Mario, though a lot more subtle.
OK, if you put it like that, as you and Grady have been so generous.  So
Eddie, you can have your relief or release or whatever you call it.  I
don't have to be there, though, do I?"

Once again Eddie looked at Mario for support, and Mario answered for him.
"Of course, capitano, you are under no obligation to attend.  But you are
the star of the movie and I think the audience would appreciate the
opportunity to congratulate you and Tommy."

Eddie beamed.  "Couldn't have said it better myself, sir."

"Though you would have taken ten times as long, kid," Hassan laughed.  "OK,
you two win – I'll sit in the back row in the dark."

Their conversation was interrupted by Randy banging a knife against a glass
for attention.  Eddie ran up to him and whispered, "It's a go, sir."

<><> PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY EDDIE <><>

At large gatherings of the clan such as this it was customary for big boss
Randy to make the speech of thanks.  He was an imposing figure as he stood
up, wearing jeans as usual but Bob had made him wear a clean white T-shirt
that clung to his muscular torso and contrasted with the dark stubble of
his jaw and long shaggy black hair.  The whole crowd, sitting at tables on
the lawn, looked up at him.

"Gentlemen, on behalf of the whole tribe I want to thank Mario and Grady
for their generosity in throwing open their home to us this weekend and
arranging this party."  He was interrupted by cheers and the two men waved
their thanks.  "Grady shows us what a trouper he is, hobbling around on an
injured foot but proving, with Doc Chad's help, that a gimpy foot don't get
in the way of great sex."  More cheers.

"Thanks too to the boys who've worked so hard to put the party together,
led by the Grady House's Danny and Brian and under the direction of our
tame gymnast Tommy.  A special vote of thanks to the chefs, Danny, Will and
the twins Kyle and Kevin who have toiled unseen in the kitchen providing
this great food to the hungry horde at breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Guys,
come out here and take your bow."

The boys lined up in a row, the four chefs in the middle in their aprons
and chef's hats, then Tommy and the other boys, with Brian and Brandon at
either end in their wheelchairs.  The chefs took off their hats raised them
high in the air and swooped them down in a low theatrical bow.  The other
boys bowed too while Brian and Brandon did dizzying wheelies in their
chairs.

On the second bow Tommy turned his back to the crowd and bowed the other
way, showing off his glorious gymnast ass in his tight pants, causing
whoops and wolf-whistles from the men.

Randy slapped the ass and said, "Speaking of which, guys, you've all heard
of Hassan's expert work on this epic butt in the trees.  And I can now
confirm that the steamy scene was filmed, as I am reliably informed by the
cameraman and director himself, a boy who should know as he surrenders his
ass to the Marine daily.  Please give it up for our very own Eddie."

Eddie jumped to his feet, waived gaily and shouted.  "And guys, after lunch
you're all invited to the grand premiere of my newest movie in the
screening room.  And don't worry. Tommy and Hassan gave me their permission
to show it.  In the business it's called a relief ... I mean a release
... I think ... whatever, I got it, and let me tell you, it was touch and
go but..."

Hassan reached up, pulled Eddie down beside him and clamped his hand over
his mouth to the laughter and cheers of the bawdy crowd.  The festivities
were obviously hitting their stride and when lunch was over, men and boys
began drifting into the house and down to the large screening room where
Eddie had already set up the video.  Tommy sat front and center as one of
its stars, and the other star, Hassan, slid quietly into the back row as
promised.

It was a rowdy bunch of men and when Eddie faced them and first called for
silence he was ignored.  "Wow, tough room," he muttered, then bellowed
... "Shut Up!"

Finally he had their attention and raised his hands dramatically.  "Guys,
the movie you are about to see is what we in the business call a
`two-hander' meaning there are only two actors – though it's prob'ly not
the hands you'll be looking at.  But that don't mean less drama `cos as the
saying goes, `it only takes two to tango."  Let me take you back to the
beginning.  Picture if you will ..."

The rest of his words were drowned out in raucous laughter and shouted
obscenities, mostly on the lines of "Shut the fuck up, dude ... play the
video."  Even garrulous Eddie couldn't ride the crest of that insistent
wave so he went to the back of the room and started the film.  But the
opening credits that Eddie had inserted only increased the noise, now
including loud cheers.

"Lust in the Leaves", a Film by Eddie.  Cameraman: Eddie.  Editor: Eddie.
Director: Eddie.

However, as the action faded in – a long shot of Hassan talking
intensely with Tommy at the bar – the crowd grew silent, except for
murmurs of excitement as the two men headed for the trees.  From then on it
was rapt attention and gasps as the action got steamier.  For most of them
it was like watching a porn movie (but with guys they actually knew!) and
as with all good porn, several of the boys pulled out their dicks and
stroked as they watched.

At last the video, and the stars, reached their climax, as did the
masturbators in the audience.  After the shot of Tommy licking the
soldier's boots, and Hassan lifting him up in a tight hug, there was a slow
fade-out and a momentary silence.  Then the room erupted in lusty cheers
and stomping of feet.

The audience was spared any closing credits, which would only have been a
repeat of Eddie's skills in every department, and the house lights went up
on Eddie facing the crowd and raising the arm of a smiling Tommy.  Eddie
shouted, "And let's hear it for our other star without whom this film would
not have been possible."

In the back row an embarrassed Hassan rose briefly to acknowledge the
enthusiastic cheers, an expression of their heightened respect for the
Marine's machismo and sexual dominance. As the cheers finally subsided
Tommy announced that the bar would reopen in five minutes and the guys
straggled outside.

Among them Brian wheeled himself beside Grady.  "Pretty hot stuff, don't
you think, kiddo?"

"Definitely, sir.  I saw a lot of the boys jerking off as they watched."

"So what else did you see, dude?  I noticed that Seth and Jason were
sitting next to each other again.  They've been chummy all day.  Something
definitely going on there, don't you think?"

"I do, sir.  I think they definitely spent last night together at Jason's
house, and they definitely fucked, no doubt about it."

But despite Brian's usually accurate assessment of what was going on among
the men, this time he was wrong – really wide of the mark.

<><> JASON & SETH <><>

What really happened between Seth and Jason had begun casually enough with
a remark Jason made to Seth at dinner in the tribe's compound on the night
before the Grady House party.  Seth happened to be sitting next to him and
noticed a small cut on Jason's hand.

"Ah, I did something stupid.  One of the windows in my house wouldn't close
properly and like an idiot I pushed against the glass and broke it –
hence the cut.  I tried to fix it myself but I think there's something
wrong with the frame so I'll have to get someone in to repair or replace
it."

"I can take a look if you like," Seth offered.  "Hell, dude, we have a big
construction company supporting this tribe, we can't have someone paying an
outsider to fix a stupid window."  And so after dinner Seth went with Jason
down to his house by the arroyo.

Seth took a look at the broken window, pushed and pulled it and said,
"Yeah, the wood's warped, sometimes happens in old properties like this.
You need a new frame.  I'll take a look in our warehouse, I'm sure I can
find one the right size.  He borrowed Jason's measuring tape and noted the
dimensions.  "Thanks for doing this Seth," Jason said.

"Ah, no problem.  Replacing a window is a piece of cake.  I'm not good at
many things in life, Jason, but I do know about construction.  Guess that's
why Randy made me a site manager.

"Hey, Seth, you wanna stick around for a nightcap – a brandy – or do
you have to get home?"

"Sure, why not.  It's only me in my house tonight.  My kid Will sometimes
spends the night but he's already up at the Grady House helping with party
preparations."

"Yeah, same here.  My boy Ben is up there too so I'm solo tonight."  They
sat in the living room and Jason poured drinks.  "This is good, dude.  We
don't often socialize, you and me, probably because we're so different from
each other."

"Yeah," Seth grinned.  "Me this rough and ragged construction worker and
you a young professional firefighter saving lives and property and stuff.
But at least we have our boys in common.  Ben and Will have become real
close buddies.  I never did thank you, Jason for the way Ben befriended
Will when he first came here, shy and unsure of himself.  It was Ben who
showed Will how boys have sex with each other.

"Yeah, and look at Will now, the king of the kitchen and popular with
everyone.  You must be real proud of him, dude."

A cloud passed across Seth's face and he took a large swig of brandy.
"Sure I am, and that makes it even more painful for me to remember how I
treated that sweet kid in the past.  Man, I was a brute to him ... I abused
him and even forced myself on him.  I would a' butt-fucked him if he hadn't
fought me off."

His voice choked and his eyes became moist.  Jason said, "You don't have to
talk about it, man, if you don't want to."

"No, Jason, I do want to.  I've buried so much crap in the past it's good
to get it out.  I have so much guilt.  Maybe it started with my old man who
was abusive to me as a kid.  So when I grew up I had this chip on my
shoulder.  Talk about low self-esteem.  I saw myself as a total loser –
and I was – couldn't hold a job, a day laborer wandering from one job to
another.  I spent my time in bars with a bunch of louts, all of us boasting
about women and how often we got laid.

"The tribe saved me, especially Randy.  When Will ran away I tried to get
him back but Randy was real protective of the kid and beat me up.  But you
know what?  He saw something in me that I didn't and he offered me a job
and ... well here I am now, one of the managers."

Jason smiled.  "Maybe we're not so different after all.  My dad was abusive
too and when I was old enough I ran away from home, like you.  My
self-confidence was low too so I went for one of the most macho jobs I
could think of and signed up to train as a firefighter.  That helped the
image, but my buddies were real tough guys who spent time in the station
house boasting about how often they got laid too.

"I was real confused about my sexuality but they were a great bunch of guys
and I tried to be like them same as you did, though you were in a beer bar
and I was in a firehouse.  We spent a lot of time between calls working out
at the station house gym – one reason firemen often have such great
bodies.  I got to like the way I looked and even became kinda narcissistic.
It's why I signed up for that calendar shoot that all the guys still talk
about."

"How did you, er, learn to fuck around with men?  Was that the tribe too?"

"Kind of, yeah.  We got called to a yard fire, something we have to knock
down fast before it spreads to the hillside brush and becomes a major
alarm.  It was started by twin boys barbecuing outside that set the bushes
on fire.  I was the guy the team left behind to tamp down hotspots so they
didn't flare up again.  I saw the twins staring at me – they recognized
me from the calendar – and man, they were fucking gorgeous.  How could I
say no to that?"

"Don't tell me," Seth grinned.  "After you fucked with them Randy showed
up."

"Yeah," Jason chuckled.  "Seeing a hot young fireman fucking Bob's boys
– talk about a red rag to a bull, he went ballistic.  So I guess we have
that in common too, buddy, getting beat up by the big gypsy as our
initiation to the tribe."

"But how did you shake off the memory of the abuse you got from your dad?"

"Wasn't easy, Seth.  I met young Ben and fell in love with the wild young
gypsy boy, and he with me.  He became my boy – the first time I was
responsible for anyone but myself.  But you know, all relationships hit
rough batches and occasionally I was this close to lifting my hand and
doing what my dad did to me.

"But you know what saved me?  Randy again.  Ben is Randy's little brother
and you know how protective he is of his boys.  He was glad Ben had found a
man of his own but at first he watched us like a hawk.  And if I had hurt
one hair of the boy's head he would have gone apeshit and I didn't wanna
face that again.

"So I learned anger control, and Ben and me we're better than ever.  I'm
crazy about the kid and he's wild about me – even loves watching me when
I go on a vanity bender and jerk off looking at myself in the mirror. So
see, we have more in common than we thought.  And you, bro, you're all fine
now aren't you, and Will has long since forgiven and forgotten what you did
in the past?"

"Sure, he's such a great kid, I really think he has.  But I haven't, dude,
the shame still haunts me.  And even though I've got a great job, now, I
still see myself as a humble construction worker."  He chuckled.  "Will
even tried to teach me some of the social graces.  We went out to a fancy
dinner and I was nervous about which fork to use until he told me nobody
cares about that stuff today.

"But that's where you and me are different, Jason.  All I do is build
stuff.  You're a first responder, you save lives and buildings and forests.
The whole world respects you.  You have no self-esteem problems ..." he
grinned ... "which is probably why you like looking at yourself in the
mirror so much."

Jason laughed.  "Maybe so, Seth.  But listen, man, you gotta get over this
inferiority bullshit.  The tribe don't see you like that.  My kid Ben said
the boys talk about you a lot and they envy Will that you're his dad.  They
think you're hot stuff, dude.  And hey," he grinned, "now you even know
which fork to use."

For two men who had thought they had little in common they were discovering
many ways they were alike.  Conversation flowed easily, lubricated by the
brandy, and they enjoyed each other's company so much they talked and
laughed until the small hours.  It was late when Seth glanced at the clock
and said, "Damn, is that the time?  I should think about hitting the road."

"After all you've had to drink?  I don't think so, buddy.  I don't want the
next emergency call I get to be hauling some drunk driver's truck out of a
ditch.  Spend what's left of the night here.  We can sleep in late and go
up to the Grady party together.  There's just the one bed, but ..."

"Hell, I'm so tired I could sleep on a bed of nails.  OK, Jason, thanks."

They went to the bedroom, stripped down to their undershorts and went to
the bathroom to brush their teeth.  Seth came out, walking unsteadily, and
fell into bed.  As he dozed he heard sounds from the bathroom and vaguely
wondered what Jason was doing.  Eventually he heard the tap running, then
Jason emerged, breathing heavily with a smile on his face.

"Dammit, man," Seth grinned, "did you just rub one out looking at yourself
in the mirror?"

"Sure did.  Not for the first time, nor the last," Jason chuckled.

Seth scooted over to make room for Jason who climbed in beside him.
"Dude," Seth smiled, "maybe you love yourself a little too much."

"Perhaps so, buddy," Jason laughed.  "And maybe you don't love yourself
enough!  We gotta work on that."

Jason switched off the light and they were both asleep in seconds.

They didn't know it, but they had just broken a mold.  In this tribe of
oversexed men the usual scenario would be two hot men getting together for
a late-night drink, talking, getting intimate and suggestive, and
inevitably one would fuck the other.  After a hot session they would fall
asleep in each other's arms knowing they would have more sex in the morning
– if not before.

But with these men it was different.  They had simply talked and talked
late into the night, sharing their joys and demons, baring their souls and
discovering they had more in common than they had imagined.  They had
bonded like brothers and, oddly enough, the thought of sex together had not
entered their minds.  They were so far from that that Jason had casually
jerked off into the mirror and Seth had laughed about it.  It never
occurred to him that he had been cheated of anything.

Then, like two good buddies who'd had too much to drink, they fell into
bed, turned off the light, and went straight to sleep.

It remained to be seen whether their brotherly affection would remain just
that in the raucous celebration of the next day's Grady House party.

<><> TO FUCK OR NOT TO FUCK <><>

So now, the following day, here they were at the party, keeping close and
continuing their in-depth discussions of the night before, discovering even
more engrossing topics of mutual interest.  They were unaware that they
were the subject of guesswork, especially by Grady and Brian who were
engaged in a running commentary on the party's goings on.

There was still a buzz in the air after the screening of the Hassan/Tommy
video.  Several of the men and boys were in the pool, the rest lounging
around in groups, while Eddie was doing victory laps accepting praise and
congratulations all round.

Chief among these was Darius who was known as the historian of the clan,
writing a journal and shooting his own videos of events.  He intended
someday to post the whole story online – after changing the names, of
course.  "Well done, dude," he said, "you're getting real good at this.
Loved those zoom shots where you went in for closes-ups at just the right
moment."

Praise from Darius was highly valued by Eddie who beamed with pride.  And
as he scurried around self-importantly from group to group he picked up
snippets of information that he tucked away for future use (after the
obligatory exaggerated edits).

It was when he ran into Ben and Will that he learned a fact that piqued his
interest.  Will had taken a break from the kitchen and was catching up on
the news with his best pal Ben.  Naturally they talked about their men,
Seth and Jason, and happened to share with Eddie a casual scrap of
information that seemed unremarkable to them – but not to Eddie.

He thanked them breathlessly and ran off to Grady and Brian who had been
joined by Mario.  Eddie had that wide-eyed look that always meant that a
major announcement was imminent.  Mario smiled at him and asked
(unnecessarily), "You bring news, Eddie?"

Eddie spread his palms wide.  "Dudes, you ... will ..."

"... we ... will ... not ... believe, eh?" Mario laughed.  Bambino, if we
will not believe your news is there much point in sharing it with us?"

Momentarily flustered Eddie frowned.  "But ... but you have to believe it
sir, `cos it's true.  I got it on good authority from Ben and Will and they
got it straight from the horses' mouths – Seth and Jason, I mean.  It
seems ... that they did spend the night together ..."

He let that hang there until Brian burst his bubble by saying, "Duh!  We
already knew that, dude.  We can put two and two together you know."

"Maybe so.  But did you know this ...?"  Another dramatic pause.  "They
talked late into the night ... shared a bed ... and then put out the light
and went to sleep."  He ended on a triumphant note, but again his bubble
burst.

Mario said, "Er Grady, remind me when we last shared a bed and talked a lot
and then put out the light and went to sleep?"  Mario frowned in thought.
"Oh yes, I remember, that would have been last night."  The comment fell
with a thud.  "And I may be wrong, but I somehow don't think that was the
subject of gossip gripping the party today."

"Sir, I think you're laughing at me."

Mario hugged Eddie.  "Only because you are so adorable, bambino."

"But don't you get it, sir?  They didn't have sex!  A musclehunk like Seth
and a calendar-star fireman like Jason, in bed together, prob'ly naked
... and they didn't fuck."

Grady flashed a gentle smile.  "Eddie, this may come as news to you but two
men can occasionally share a bed without fucking.  Talking can be rewarding
in itself, you should try it."  He got a warning glance from Mario.  "On
second thoughts strike that – don't talk, or it might be an all-night
monologue.  Better just fuck."

Eddie good-naturedly joined in the laughter and Grady said.  "Seriously
though, Eddie, one of the joys of life is deep conversation with a buddy
that lasts till the wee small hours.  You can dig up some real heavy stuff
like that and get to know a lot about a guy."

Brian said, "The question is, what did they get to know about each other?"

"Aaah," Grady declaimed dramatically.  "To fuck or not to fuck, that is the
question."

Amid their laughter Mario said, "Now I think we are all getting very silly.
Leave Seth and Jason alone to do whatever they choose.  It's a free country
– especially in this house.  What I came to tell you, Grady, is that
Doctor Chad is waiting for you. You have not had your therapy yet today."

"Ah, trust you to drag a guy away just when he's having fun.  OK, lead on
Macduff."

<><> "LOVE YOU, GUYS" <><>

The afternoon progressed in the way of all Grady House parties – lots of
eating, drinking and making merry, the men lounging around in groups
talking sports, business and general gossip.  Brian and Brandon circulated
among them with their wheelchair tray tables loaded with snacks and
appetizers.

Mario and Grady (post therapy) mingled with the guests, more like guests
themselves rather than hosts, so Grady could enjoy the feeling of being
`just one of the guys', an image that was not always easy to maintain,
given his international celebrity.  In fact the concept was challenged in a
small way after Mario stood up to make an announcement.

"Attenzione signori.  I interrupt the festivities merely to let you know
that dinner will be served in about an hour.  And tonight, of course, you
are all invited to sleep here so you'll be ready for a continuation of the
revelry tomorrow, Sunday.  The house has many guestrooms but it will
require some doubling up, which I'm sure will not be a hardship for this
group of close friends.

"I have asked Brian to assign the rooms, at least approximately, though of
course there will be some room-to-room activity as your personal desires
and lusts lead you.  Feel free, gentlemen.  Eddie will be assisting him and
... oh, it seems Eddie has something to add."

Eddie stood up.  "OK, guys, I know you're all bracing for a long Eddie
lecture so I'll keep it brief."  (He ignored cynical shouts of `fat
chance', `that's a first' and `good luck with that one, dude.')  "I just
got one thing to say.  With so many guys there won't be much room service,
you know, like turndown service, a chocolate on the pillow or cleanup, so
you gotta tidy up after yourselves."

"You hear that Grady?" Mario smiled.  "You have to make your own bed."

"Oh, not you, sir," Edie hastened to add.  "I didn't mean you."

"Why not?"

"Well you're special, sir."

"No I'm not!"  Eddie had touched a nerve.  "I am not special.  I'm just
like you guys.  I don't want special treatment.  I can make a bed."  He got
a skeptical sideways glance from Mario.  "Well ... I can learn."

That was greeted with cheers and laughter, and Grady defiantly raised both
middle fingers with a loud "fuck you all!"  Then his face broke into his
well-known playful grin.  "Love you, guys."

With a cacophony of more cheers the moment passed.  Grady had made his
point with no harm done.  Just one of the guys – although actually he
hadn't made his own bed in years.  He gave Eddie a warm hug.  "When you've
done assigning rooms maybe you and Brian can give me bed-making lessons,
dude."

And so the party resumed and the incident had served to heighten the
group's high spirits.  Dinner was especially raucous, something of a
free-for-all, and once again the chefs and the boys took their ritual bow
at Randy's insistence.

After dinner there was more drinking and skinny dipping in the pool (with
Jamie keeping a watchful eye, like a lifeguard.)  It was late when men
started to straggle toward the house, and Mario, sitting with Bob, noticed
Grady huddling with Brian and Eddie.  "See that, Bob?  We can only guess at
what conspiracy they're cooking up."

Room assignments were a predictably chaotic affair with much joking and
ribald suggestions, but in the melee Mario and Bob saw Eddie quietly
shepherding Seth and Jason into a room of their own.  "Ah, mystery solved,"
Mario smiled.

Bob chuckled.  "You know what they say about Eddie.  He sees a potential
drama round every corner – or hopes for one anyway – or creates one
if necessary."

"With Grady and Brian as willing accomplices, amico.  Grady is still a kid
at heart – he just loves mischief."

<><> JASON SHOWS SETH HOW IT'S DONE <><>

After Eddie showed the men into their room and left them alone Seth
chuckled, "Do you have a feeling we just got railroaded into this, bro?"

"I do," Jason smiled.  "I also got the feeling we were the subject of
friendly gossip out there today, as we spent so much time with each other.
But what the hell, I don't care.  Let them have their fun.  Hey look, a
mini-fridge."  Jason opened it and grinned, "Damn, these guy sure know how
to take care of their guests.  You want a last beer before we hit the
sack?"

"Sure why not?"  Jason handed Seth a bottle and they sprawled in armchairs
facing each other, both of them shirtless in jeans.  They kicked off their
shoes and took long swigs of beer.

Jason wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and sighed.  "Matter of
fact, dude, whatever stunt those guys were playing on us, I kinda like the
idea of sharing a room with you again."

"Me too, bro.  You know it's kind of a relief that I can be myself and not
be afraid of saying the wrong thing or ..."

"... using the wrong fork?" Jason laughed.  "But I know what you mean,
dude.  We really clicked didn't we?  Who'd have guessed it, us being so
different from each other?  Seems the only real difference between us now
is that I respect myself – even jack off admiring myself in a mirror
– whereas you still look down on yourself, with all that guilt about
your past.  But at least we can talk about stuff like that, and it's a
relief that our friendship is not based on sex."

"I know, right?  I love all these guys but it's always seemed like when you
meet a new guy it don't take long before you're fucking. It's almost a rule
of the tribe.  Oh, sure, eventually you end up being good buddies but you
have to go through that fuck-and-suck thing first."

Even as they spoke each man was aware somewhere deep down this was the very
scenario that usually led to men of the tribe getting it on – a rugged,
bare-chested construction worker and a shirtless muscle-jock fireman
sharing a room by chance in a crowded party house.  But that was a tired
clichι of porn videos and erotic fiction and it did not percolate to the
surface with these guys to get in the way of their new brotherly
friendship.

The more they chatted the more comfortable they felt with each other, a
sense that they could really open up and tell each other anything.  But it
was late and when Seth finally drained his bottle he said, "Dunno about
you, buddy, but I'm gonna hit the sack."  He grinned.  "I s'pose you're
gonna hit the bathroom and do that mirror thing again."

Jason laughed.  "Well, you gotta admit that being surrounded all day by the
crowd of gorgeous guys, skinny dipping or whatever, does get the old sexual
juices going.  And narcissism is kinda bred in the bone with me by now.  My
boy Ben loves it.  He gets turned on watching me and I love an audience."

Jason stood up and glanced at his reflection in the room's big full-length
wall mirror.  "Randy knows a thing or two – he installs these things in
the bedrooms of all the houses.  Hell, if you loosened up a bit and learned
to admire yourself like this it might help to get rid of that stupid
inferiority thing you got going.  You're a great lookin stud, bro, real
sexy.  You should let yourself go, and get to know yourself better."

"Oh, is that how it's done, eh?" Seth laughed.  "OK, you like an audience.
So show me."

"Now that's a question you don't need to ask me twice.  OK, dude, get a
load of this."

While Seth sprawled in his armchair grinning up at his buddy, Jason stood
about six feet from mirror and began his familiar routine.  Barefoot and
shirtless in beltless blue jeans he smiled at his reflection and ran his
hands lovingly over his solid pecs, down over his abs, then pressed his
fists into the sides of his waist and flared his lats in a classic
bodybuilder pose.

"See, that's how you usually start, then do a few more poses.  Those
physique contest guys know what they're doing – got it down to a fine
art.  And muscle worship is art, dude, just look at that."  He raised his
arms and flexed his biceps.  "You gotta admit, Seth, that is kinda
beautiful."

"Hey, you got a terrific build, man, no one's disputing that.  It's why all
the boys jerk off over that calendar picture Will showed me.  OK, cut to
the chase, dude, what comes next?"

"Well, if you do the first part right you should have quite a boner right
now.  So you open the top button of the jeans and slide your hand down
inside to check it out, like this.  He smiled as he did so.  "Yup, stiff as
a flag pole.  Hey, come on man – you learn by doing.  Give it a try."

"Nah," Seth chuckled.  "I'm not cut out for stuff like that.  I'm not into
myself ... I'm not ..."

"`I'm not, I'm not, I'm not' – there's all your negativity coming out.
Accentuate the positive, dude.  Forget the `I'm nots'.  Concentrate on what
you are – a hot fucking stud, drop-dead gorgeous and sexy as hell.  Come
on, bro, show me ... and show yourself."

<><> BROTHERS UNDER THE SKIN <><>

Jason's enthusiasm was infectious and Seth pulled himself grudgingly out of
the chair and stood beside him.  Jason said, "Now that is fucking hot, bro
– two guys getting off on themselves, a gorgeous fireman and a
wild-looking musclehunk construction boss.  OK, dude, follow my lead."

Jason went through his posing routine again and Seth copied him, hesitantly
at first but building in confidence as he began to get off on his mirror
image.  He flexed his biceps and his pecs, then flared his lats as Jason
had done.  At first he admired the man in the mirror almost as if it were
someone else, a good-looking stranger.  But it gradually dawned on him that
the sexy hunk he was looking at was himself.  And he felt his cock get
hard!

Without more prompting he unbuttoned his jeans and slid his hands
inside. "See?" Jason grinned.  "Told you so.  OK, now we really do cut to
the chase.  Stay with me here, bro."

Seth was starting to enjoy himself and he copied Jason as he ripped open
his jeans, pulled out his rigid cock and stroked it.  Standing side by side
they grinned at each other in the mirror, then focused on themselves, two
beautiful men stroking their cocks, getting off on themselves.

"Damn that's hot," Jason groaned.  "Don't cum yet, though.  You gotta relax
and enjoy."  With his free hand Jason squeezed his own nipple and Seth did
the same.  The jolt of pain made his cock shudder in his hand and he almost
came.

"Damn, I almost lost it, man. Hey, let me try something – not a glass
reflection – the real man."

He went to the mirror and turned around.  He was now staring at Jason,
getting off on him, while Jason was looking at the double image – his
own reflection and the real Seth beside it.  He went back and forth –
staring first at himself, then at Seth.  "Damn, you look so hot, dude, it's
enough to cure my vanity."

"Try this, then," Seth said.  He stepped sideways, blocking the mirror and
Jason's view of himself. It was almost a relief to Jason, having just one
image to focus on.  And he did, staring at the muscular savage-looking
construction worker beating his own meat, while Jason himself was the
object of Seth's gaze.  They pounded their cocks in a frenzy of mutual
body-worship and for the first time sex intruded in their brotherly
affection.

Seth walked closer to Jason and said, "This ain't right, bro, this ain't
enough."

Jason frowned. "I dunno man.  I love you like a brother.  I don't wanna
screw that up."

"Brothers under the skin, Jason, that won't change.  But the flesh wants
more."

"But brothers don't ..."

"Tell that to the twins, bro.  Those two gorgeous kids make love all the
time, always have.  And I fuck my son Will and he loves it.  I s'pose you
think that's weird too."

"No, you're consenting adults.  And the tribe has taught me that anything
goes – as long as everyone consents and no one gets hurt."

"So perhaps it's me," Seth said. "I was assuming too much.  `Course if you
don't want to ..."

"I do, Seth.  Dammit it, man, beating my meat looking at you ... I want it
like crazy."

A broad grin crossed Seth's swarthy, stubbled face.  "So what the fuck are
we waiting for?"  Seth grabbed Jason's head and pulled his face toward him
in a grinding kiss.  When they pulled apart they frantically jerked down
each other's jeans and shorts, and buck naked they kissed again.  Jason
could see, over Seth's shoulder, the two men in a tight embrace and it
looked even hotter than his own solo image.

While they kissed Seth pressed against Jason and pushed him back until he
fell backward on the bed with Seth on top of him.  And Seth stayed on top,
there was no argument about that.  He saw the jar of lube that Brian made
sure was in every guestroom.  He dipped his fingers in it and pushed them
in Jason's ass, making him groan and instinctively pull his legs back,
offering his ass to the man he loved like a brother.

Jason gazed up at the swarthy square-cut face with its heavily stubbled
jaw, high cheekbones, shaggy black hair and seductive blue eyes.  "Fuck me,
bro.  Shove that huge dick in my ass ... aaagh ..."  Seth didn't wait for
instructions.  It was his show now.  Jason had so far been the teacher but
this was what Seth did best – taking control of another man and his ass.

As he pounded the fireman's ass he leaned forward, closed his sinewy hands
over Jason's forearms and pinned them to the bed beside his face.  He
stared down at the naked fireman with his classic physique and stunning
face.  Seth grinned, "Man you look ten- times hotter now than you did
jerking off to the mirror."

"You too, stud.  In the end, nothing beats sex, eh?  Fuck my ass, bro."

As they fucked it could be said that, despite their long, platonic preamble
to this, they had, after all, succumbed to the clichι they had so far
avoided – two handsome men meet, talk, get horny and wind up naked in
bed fucking.  But it didn't seem like that to them.

Over the last two days they had built such an intimacy of trust and
affection, had got inside each other's heads and hearts, that this was no
simple carnal release.  They were not just one-off fuck buddies, nor lovers
either, but something in between.  They were friends, budding soul mates
who loved to spend time together talking and laughing in a warm friendship
that was deep but not dramatic.

"Brothers under the skin, eh Seth?" Jason smiled up at him, giving voice to
Seth's thoughts – already they were starting to read each other's minds.
Sex was not the culmination of their friendship, just one ingredient, its
importance equal to talking, laughing, sharing a bed and simply being
together.  No, this was no clichι climax to an erotic story.

They made love for a long time and Seth learned to please his buddy by
fucking hard, then slowing down and easing his cock slowly in and out,
teasing him, massaging his ass.  It was a mind fuck too, as the intimacy
they had nurtured since they met, the brotherly affection of one virile man
for another, now found a new, homoerotic form of expression.

"Funny thing," Jason said.  "I can see my reflection in your eyes while you
fuck me."

"Good," Seth grinned, "you enjoy looking in a mirror.  You wanna get off
looking at yourself looking at me making love to your ass?  You've got your
mirror, your audience and your gorgeous self.  What more could a narcissist
want?"

"Plus I've got a man fucking me who looks proud and confident –
self-loving instead of self-loathing.  It suits you, man.  Guilt never was
really your thing.  You wanna complete the picture bro?  I'm hot to trot
– right on the cusp."

"Me too, buddy.  OK bro, here it is.  Seth pounded ass and Jason jerked
himself off and they climaxed together, smiling into the mirror of each
other's eyes.

Seth pulled out gently and lay beside Jason who grinned, "Now we've got
something else to give those guys to gossip about tomorrow."

"Yeah," Seth grinned.  "We'll look wide-eyed at young Eddie and you know
what we'll say?"  The two men chanted in chorus, "Dude
... you...will...not...believe."  They laughed together, joked some more
and felt just as comfortable with each other as they had before sex
intervened.

Which just went to show that, despite their differences, and whatever the
desires of the flesh, they were still brothers under the skin.

<><> NEVER A DULL MOMENT <><>

That night they did not sleep folded in each other's arms – another
clichι that bit the dust.  Instead they chatted a bit longer and then
fell asleep side by side.  And they didn't wake up until morning.

They were a bit late joining the rest of the guys at the Sunday buffet
brunch, having decided to clear the air of gossip.  The best way to do
that, they agreed, was to make a clean breast of it all to Eddie who, they
knew, would spread the story within minutes.

Truth be told, Eddie was somewhat deflated to find that the story lacked
drama.  He had convinced himself that the men would be wildly in love with
each other by now, which would push away their boys Will and Ben, and the
ensuing friction would involve an enraged Randy who would charge in and
... and on, and on, and on ...  But sadly for Eddie it was not to be.

Seth and Jason joined Mario, Grady and Bob who were breakfasting together.
Mario smiled, "Amici, I believe you have ... how you say ... taken the wind
out of Eddie's sails?  But I am sure he will quickly find new, more
turbulent waters to sail into and tell us all about it until he runs out of
breath."

Bob laughed.  "Eddie?  Run out of breath?  Never.  But I'm happy to hear
your story, guys.  It's good to be reminded that the deepest relationships
thrive on much more than just great sex."

"Oh, I dunno," Grady said with a roguish sparkle in his eye.  "Given a
choice of great sex or a friendly chat about the weather I know which one
I'd go for."

As for me," Bob said, "I'm looking forward to some quiet time with the
twins.  Randy, Zack and Miguel are gonna hit the road on their Harleys on a
bike run out to Uncle Mike and Larry in the desert.  They're taking
advantage of a lull on construction work next week until it cranks up to
full pressure after that.  They like to get away and do their leather thing
once in a while.

"I've been neglecting the twins lately – time to get reacquainted.  The
compound will be fairly empty, though Mark's taking a few days off work to
spend more time with Jamie, so the twins and I will be spending what's
known as `quality time' with them."

"Talking of Jamie," Grady said, "I've gotta get together with him soon too,
once my foot has healed.  See, in a month or so, after this current movie
has wrapped, I gotta get ready for the new one that's already in
pre-production, the first of a series set mostly on the beach.  I'm
exchanging my Tarzan loincloth for faded red board shorts as a lifeguard
named Hunter, and the studio wants me to perfect my surfing skills."

"Well, you can't find a better trainer than Jamie," Bob said.  "Should be a
whole lot of fun."

"Never a dull moment," Mario smiled.  "Though maybe that means that there
will be less drama in the tribe for a while."  There was a momentary
silence as they all looked at each other, then said in unison, "Nah..."

Grady laughed.  "No drama in this crowd?  Are you fucking kidding?"

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 513


Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter got you off, and I
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