Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2021 03:18:37 +0000 (UTC) From: rw6789@aol.com Subject: "A Trial Of Strength" - Part 538 by Rob Williams A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 538 by Rob Williams Chapter 538 – "LOVE, LUST & DRAMA IN THE DUNES" IN THIS CHAPTER The two lovers – blond Doctor Chad, and the handsome Aussie Adam – both lust after the rugged soldier Hassan. But Chad has always insisted on monogamy. So the three men gather on a remote beach to work through the issues. They invite their boys to join them and the loving, lively family group finds a solution. But not before one of the men gets spit-roasted, and another becomes a lifesaving hero. ___________________________________________________________________ <><> IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER <><> Handsome Doctor Chad and the rugged Aussie Adam were in an idyllic, passionate and monogamous relationship. Idyllic, that is, until they were both unfaithful to each other. Chad had intensely erotic sex with the rugged Arab Marine Hassan, whom Chad was treating with massage therapy for back pain. Meanwhile, Adam, on a business trip to Sydney, revived an affair with an ex-lover from years ago. So their relationship was threatened and they had a lot of work to do sorting through the wreckage. Their salvation was the everlasting strength of their love for each other. Despite all the tension and hurt feelings, they made love and it was clear their union would survive. But Adam knew that asking Chad to simply bury his feelings for Hassan would not work. The Aussie had felt plenty of lust in his travels, and knew the lasting impact it could have on a man. No, the factor at the root of all this was his relationship with Chad. It was solid, he was sure of that – the power of their love-making had proved it. But they were wrong to build a wall round it – a wall of monogamy that was clearly not impenetrable, as they had just discovered. They had to come up with a more lasting solution. So, at the suggestion of the tribe's co-leader Bob, Adam and Chad drove up the coast to a shack on the remote, deserted beach in the Guadalupe Dunes, an ideal retreat for them to reaffirm their love and work through their issues. But one cloud still hung over them – the thought of what Hassan must be going through. Randy, the other leader of the tribe, summed that up best. "I know that tough Marine, we speak the same language. He knows he lost control and did something real bad, and if I were in his place – hell, I have been in that place – the only way I could get over my guilt is to be punished. Hassan will be expecting it. With him it's some kind of military honor code." There too, Bob planted the seed of a solution. He knew that Hassan was going up to the military base not far from the dunes, for military maneuvers. He also knew that Hassan routinely stopped off at the dunes to unwind and relax afterwards. The action played out as Bob had anticipated. Chad and Adam came back from a jog up the beach and saw Hassan who had tied himself to an old door frame in the sand next to the shack, craving the punishment he needed to rid himself of his guilt. The punishment was reluctantly administered by Adam who whipped the bound, bare-chested soldier. Chad's penance was being forced to tearfully watch the solder's humiliation. Adam could not bear seeing Chad's misery and called for him to join them. And in that move was born the beginnings of a solution to their problems. While Adam butt-fucked the bound soldier, Chad kissed Hassan, then knelt and sucked his cock. Driven wild by being worked over by both men, Hassan came in Chad's mouth while Adam's cock erupted in his ass. But Adam knew there was one more act to play out, and pulled Chad up on his feet. "OK, buddy, you've sucked the captain's cock – several times, and let him fuck your ass. But there's one thing you ain't done yet. I already lubed the soldier's ass with my jizz, and you're gonna love it. So go for it, bro." Chad didn't need prompting twice, and with a long sigh of pleasure drove his cock deep inside the captain's cum-slicked ass. Adam stood before Hassan and clamped their mouths together in a grinding kiss that grew fiercer as they heard Chad's triumphant yell and a second load of sperm spurted into the soldier's ass. Adam smiled into the soldier's dark eyes and said, "He'll always be my lover, Hassan, that's never gonna change. But there's no reason you can't be part of our lives too. Life is rich with possibilities, mate, so let's just see what happens." He untied Hassan's wrists. "You're gonna stick around with us for the rest of the weekend aren't you, captain?" Hassan smiled for the first time. "Sure, if you're sure you both want it. As it's a four-day holiday weekend I, er, kind of half promised my kid Eddie that ..." "And we kind of promised our boy Nate," Chad said. Adam added, "And Bob was throwing out strong hints that he wants overworked young chef Will to take a break. Those three kids are all good buddies so let's have them all here, make the family complete. Like I said, mates, life is rich with possibilities. Let's give it a shot, eh?" ========= CHAPTER 538 ========= <><> A MARGARITA OR TWO – OR THREE <><> The three men – blond Doc Chad, the macho Aussie Adam, and the muscular Arab Marine Hassan – had gone through the first stage of reconciliation – the raw sexual act of physical punishment and retribution. Hassan and Chad had paid the price for their previous lust-fueled sexual encounter and Chad's infidelity to Adam. The blond doctor had been forced to watch the bound Marine captain get tied up and worked over by Adam, and the unexpected result had been the beginnings of a strong male bonding between the two lovers and the rugged soldier. One issue still to be addressed was Adam's infidelity to Chad during a business trip to Sydney, where he had rekindled his sexual feelings for Ted, an ex-lover from years ago. They all knew Adam still had to face some kind of reckoning for that, but right now they were all feeling a sense of achievement bordering on triumph, and were in no mood to stir up further conflict. Instead they felt a need for harmony, the kind provided by a loving family. Which is why they had hit on the idea of inviting their boys up to this idyllic place, the beach shack set in the wildly beautiful, remote Guadalupe Dunes. They needed a change of pace from the savagery of lusty men, which they knew they could find in the smiling faces of their exuberant boys. So they hit the phones. Adam called Nate, the hot young surfer who had long been Adam's boy and now Chad's too. Nate had been working hard to support his old pal Jamie in coordinating the surfing activity on a lifeguard movie starring their hunky movie star pal Grady. The movie shoot had taken a hiatus for the four-day holiday weekend and Nate jumped at the chance of some beach action with the doc and the Aussie. Hassan called his boy Eddie, a fun-loving effervescent favorite of the tribe. Eddie was thrilled to be working as a junior camera assistant on the same movie, so he too had a four-day break and he whooped with joy at the prospect of time at the beach with the macho soldier he idolized. Chad called the tribe's co-leader Bob who, before they left town, had hinted that the young redheaded assistant chef Will had been overworking and needed a break. Chad put the call on speaker, and Bob was pleased to hear that the process of reconciliation had gone well so far. He fully understood that, after all that, they needed some easy-going family time. "I'll run it by the twins, guys. They're as eager as I am to see Will take a break, and I'm sure he'll go for the idea. Matter of fact, they'll all be so eager we'll try to put it together fast. "Tell you what. It would be good if they could drive back with you guys on the trip home, so maybe they should take the train up there? I've taken the Amtrak before – beautiful scenic ride up the coast. I seem to recall there's one leaving L.A. at about three, gets to Guadalupe about seven – in time for dinner. "They would love that," Chad said. "But it's almost noon. Think you can pull it together in time?" "I know those boys," Bob chuckled, "they'll be out of here like a shot. Be good to them, guys, I know you will – and to each other. Make love, not war, eh?" "We intend to," the men chorused. The men's eyes were shining when the call ended. This is just what they needed. "Face it, mates," Adam said. "What we just did is a hard act to follow. Not sure where it's gonna lead us. The boys will help put us straight." "Well as for me," Hassan grinned, "I hope it's gonna lead us to food. I'm starved. I left the base early this morning and ain't eaten anything yet all day." "Right there with you, soldier," Chad said. "So how about lunch in that cantina in the village – and a margarita or two?" "Lead me to it, doc," Adam grinned. In the shack they found a pair of board shorts for Hassan, they pulled on loose T-shirts and tramped barefoot over the dunes. Their former tension was replaced by a tension of a different sort, more of a tingling anticipation for something they couldn't yet define. But when they sat on the shaded patio of the cantina facing steaming plates of fajitas and a pitcher of margaritas, all tension faded, washed down with a drink or two or three, and they discovered an easy-going camaraderie – based on the alpha-male bonding they had felt right after their earlier sexual trial of strength and endurance. They were all from widely different backgrounds – the Aussie airline executive; the talented chief surgeon; and the rugged Arab/Asian Marine captain. And it was probably these differences that gave them so much to talk about and share. They one-upped each other with some pretty hair-raising work stories, most of them with a punch line that made them howl with laughter. The tales became more far-fetched and the laughter more boisterous as the food and drink went down and they ordered another pitcher. They were in a happy-go-lucky mood as they walked back over the dunes, and even the usually stern, stoic Marine captain was telling jokes and even slurring his words. By the time they got back to the shack they were in no shape to walk, let alone jog, along the beach. I don't know about your guys, Hassan said, but I need a nap to digest all those fajitas." "Not to mention the margaritas," Adam grinned. "I lost count." Chad took the matter in hand, went into the shack and came out with a large blanket that he spread on the sand in a patch of shade by the shack. He pulled off his T-shirt and threw himself down on the blanket wearing just his board shorts. Adam looked down at him and smiled at Hassan. "Gorgeous ain't he, mate? Mustn't let him hog the blanket, though. Come on, soldier, if you can't beat `em join `em." They too pulled off their T-shirts and lay on the blanket, one on each side of Chad. And whatever their basic impulses, this is as close to sleeping together as they came. They were certainly not ready to give in to their latent lusts and indulge in three-way sex. Their reconciliation was in its infancy, consisting so far of the raw physical act of what Adam called `punishment sex', and later a raucous, boozy lunch between three virile alpha-males. Drowsy from drink they fell asleep quickly. By force of habit Adam rested his arm over Chad, whose leg was touching Hassan's. There was not a hard-on between them – though that probably had more to do with the deadening effects of alcohol than a lack of sexual desire. And at this stage, it was probably just as well. <><> HIGH SPIRITS <><> After sleeping off the lethargy-inducing margaritas, Hassan was the first one to wake and, even before his eyes opened, he heard the siren-sing of breaking waves. He was lying on his side and when he open his eyes he saw the seductive sight of the gently-swelling ocean glittering in the afternoon sun. Then he became aware of a body pressing gently against his back. It was Chad, still asleep, and Hassan's cock stirred. No, he didn't wanna go there – well, he did, but knew this was not the time ... too soon. So he eased himself away from Chad and pulled himself to his feet. Adam, roused to consciousness by the sound, opened his eyes and saw the dark Arab Marine towering over him, yawning and stretching his muscular body. The homoerotic image gave Adam a hard-on, but he suppressed the urge and stood up beside Hassan, who said, "I need exercise, dude – a run on the beach and a swim." "Me too, captain, but what about Prince Charming down there. Should we give him the kiss of life and wake Sleeping Beauty, or let him sleep?" "Fuck you both." His eyes still closed Chad's face broke into a gleaming smile. Wherever you go, I go." He looked up at them and they pulled him to his feet. Within minutes they were launching themselves in the surf to shock them fully awake, then jogging down the beach, three hot men matching each other step for step. All barefoot in board shorts, their tanned, muscular bodies streamed with water and glistened in the sun. It was a full half hour later that they arrived back at the shack, panting hard. They were feeling on top of the world. They were still not exactly sure why, except that they loved each other's company, but all three men felt an impulse to share their high spirits – and thoughts turned to their boys. Nate, Eddie and Will had all been aware of the pain and suffering of the men, so it was only right that they should now share their exuberance too." "What time does their train get in?" Adam asked. "Around seven-pm," Chad said, "according to Bob. It's a four hour trip up the coast. We should probably clean up the shack for when they get here and think about sleeping arrangements. The bed is big but hardly big enough to sleep six. "Interesting thought, though," Adam grinned." Hassan said, "As I recall there's a tent stowed in the shed out back – for when there's a crowd up here. Nothing like sleeping under canvas in the dunes to the sound of breaking waves." They tidied up the shack, pulled out the large tent and dragged it to a sheltered spot in the dunes where Hassan took charge. "A Marine is used to a life in a tent," Hassan said, "so follow my lead, guys." A short time later the tent stood proudly, sheltered by the dunes with a view of the ocean. And the men tramped back to the shack. Their excitement at the prospect of seeing their boys again seemed exaggerated as they had only recently left them – but right now all their senses were heightened, including the happiness they felt, and they found themselves waiting impatiently until it was time to go to the train station and meet the boys. Hassan drove his jeep, and Adam and Chad took Adam's SUV. <><> CENTRIFUGAL FORCE <><> The small Guadalupe station was not much more than a platform by the train tracks, and a small Mission-style waiting room. The three men stood impatiently on the platform, gazing into the misty distance, and finally saw the pinpoint of light on the locomotive that grew steadily larger. Hassan glanced at the two lovers and smiled at their shared excitement – like parents waiting for their boy to come home after a long absence. It was the kind of domestic scene he had never played out himself – until now, as he shared their enthusiasm. At last the train roared into the station and the men looked eagerly along it. The three boys burst from the train and their physical animation matched the elation the men were feeling. Eddie threw his arms round Hassan, who whirled him around off his feet, while the more sedate Nate smiled broadly and hugged Adam, then Chad. Amid the festive activity Adam noticed a look of pure joy on his lover Chad's face, brighter than any he had seen before. Will brought up the rear with two heavy bags slung over his shoulders, and Hassan ran to help him. "What you got here, kiddo, the Crown Jewels?" "Kind of, sir. They're my crown jewels anyway, my kitchen equipment. As I recall, the kitchen in the shack is not well equipped, a far cry from the kitchens in the compound." "Hey, Will," Chad said, overhearing. "You haven't come here just to cook. You're here to relax." "Cooking is my relaxation, sir, especially with the challenge of a small kitchen like the shack's." His freckled face broke into a grin. "I'll have fun with you guys and cook for you – all part of the package holiday." "OK, Will," said Hassan schlepping the bags. "Get into the jeep with Eddie and me." Nate was about to get in the back seat of SUV but Chad said, "Not this time Nate. That's the traditional way – men up front, boy in the back. But this trip is all about breaking with tradition, eh, Adam?" "If you say so, mate," Adam said with a puzzled grin, still noticing that glow on Chad's face. So Nate sat beside Adam, Chad got in the back seat and the two vehicles set off. It had been agreed among the men that before they reached the shack they would fill the boys in on what had happened since Hassan got here – the punishment, the sex and the reconciliation over the boozy lunch – even sleeping it off together on the blanket. In the jeep Eddie was all agog, firing questions at Hassan for the minutest descriptions. Hassan laughed. "So what d'ya think, Will? Is he storing it all in that noggin of his so he can give graphic descriptions to the other boys?" "Sir," Will smiled, "I think you can guarantee that as soon as Eddie hits the phone the whole saga will be spreading on the grapevine like wildfire." Meanwhile, in the other vehicle Nate's expression was more serious as he listened to Adam's concise description of the bound Marine's punishment and his surrender of his ass, first to Adam, then to Chad. Nate had been deeply disturbed when he had first found out about the dual infidelity of both men – Chad's with Hassan and Adam's with his ex-lover Ted. He loved being the boy of both men, and relished the comfort of their life as a small family with their dog Molly. The domestic upheaval had been a shock to him, and it scared him that everything might be falling apart. But he had been heartened by the men's reconciliation, and now by the news that this morning's tough, punishment scene seemed to have brought Hassan and the two lovers even closer. When Adam's recounting of events finished he glanced at Chad in the rear-view mirror and sensed that the glow on his face was about to find verbal expression. He was right. Chad cleared his throat and said, "Guys, I have something I want to say before we get to the beach and rejoin the others. All day I have been feeling a new kind of ... of liberation that I couldn't pin down – a kind of lightness, like I had shed a burden. And it all came together when I watched the reunion on the station platform – Hassan loving Eddie, the smile on Will's freckled face as he schlepped those bags, and of course, you Nate greeting Adam and me. "I saw six guys sharing their happiness together ... and I really mean together, a group of guys behaving like a loving family. And a light bulb went on. I realized that my insistence on monogamy was misguided – a fantasy that true love meant two lovers, a boy, a dog, a fireplace and wisteria over the door. It was a romantic notion that I think I based on my own happy traditional childhood with a mom and dad who loved me. I was scared that love between two men could never last. "But that group of guys at the train, that too was real love – more expansive than my limited ideal. Whatever form love takes I realized that you can't box it in. I was wrong to think a box would keep love secure. Quite the opposite, it puts rigid restraints on love, creating a tension that could ultimately break it apart, like a steel rod bending till it snaps. We recently saw how it almost tore us apart. "Those loving guys at the station – you can't build a wall around them. That kind of love has a life of its own – free to go where it wants. You see, guys, the power of love is rooted in the love itself. Like a centrifugal force, if it's strong enough it holds itself together – no need for walls or fences." Chad stopped and chuckled. "There I go – just like a doctor giving a lecture to medical students who don't know what the fuck I'm talking about." Adam's eyes were moist as he said, "I know what the fuck you're talking about, mate – and I think Nate does too. I love you doc and I know you love me. And Nate here is our boy. Nothing's gonna change that. But that shouldn't stop us welcoming other friends and distractions along the way. What d'ya say, Nate?" "Sounds good to me, sir. But everything has to be up front, nothing hidden, no secrets." "Too right, mate," the Aussie drawled. He stopped the car a short way from the shack and grinned. "Look, guys ... talk about friends and distractions." Ahead of them Hassan's jeep had pulled up behind the shack, Hassan had got out and pulled off his T-shirt. "Now that, guys, is one hell of a distraction – a gorgeous hunk of man. Come on, mates, let's join the party." <><> PAYBACK TIME <><> "I see you guys have been shopping," Will said appreciatively as he arranged the kitchen to his liking. "I brought a bunch of stuff too, so I can cook dinner for us all, and we'll go shopping in the village tomorrow." It was clear Will had already established himself as king of the kitchen. "So how about cocktails and appetizers on the porch? I brought all the stuff." It was a merry group that lounged on the porch sipping wine and cocktails. The only one who didn't contribute much to the lively banter was Adam. He had been rather thoughtful ever since the drive from the station and eventually, fortified by a cocktail or two, he stood up. "Er, listen up, mates. There's something I gotta get off my chest. It's been a rocky couple of days, as you know, but things are pretty much back on an even keel – better than ever, actually. Driving back from the station Chad talked eloquently about love and friendship, how love takes many forms and shouldn't be limited by artificial boundaries. "Chad wants to make a new start and so do I. But before we close the chapter on this painful episode I gotta wipe the slate clean to make things fair. See, mates, so far the story has been all about what Hassan and Chad did together. I reluctantly punished Hassan for it, and Chad too, by forcing him to watch. "But that's only half the picture. If Chad was what some call `unfaithful' to me, so was I to him. In Sydney I came across an ex-lover, Ted. I moved out of my hotel, stayed with him and ... and fucked with him. "In a way that was even worse then what Chad did with Hassan. I mean, look at them, two of the most gorgeous men on the planet ... come on, guys ... of course lust reared its head and they fucked. But right away they felt guilty at their loss of control. While me and Ted? We laughed about it – and did it again – and again. It was a bit of fun and it wasn't until later that I felt remorse. "So, Hassan gets punished, Chad gets punished, and I go scot-free? I can't let that happen. I gotta level the playing field so we can make a clean start. OK, guys, the ball's in your court." Adam sat down amid loud murmurings of protest. The general sentiment was against punishing Adam, and for turning a blind eye on his past mistakes. But Hassan and Chad understood Adam's need for penance. Both of them had felt the same way earlier about themselves, and Hassan had offered himself up in a dramatic way. In truth, it was in the Marine's military nature to exact payback for what he had suffered. So while the three boys sat in nervous suspense, waiting for what came next, Hassan and Chad conferred quietly together, even smiling furtively as they hatched a plan. Finally they walked down off the porch and stood on the big blanket still spread on the sand. "OK," Hassan said, "we're agreed. But this time no one's gonna get tied to the doorframe and whipped. This ain't one of those eye-for-an-eye, lash-for-a-lash deals. You're a tough fucking Aussie and you wouldn't flinch – plus, I don't wanna mark that perfect body. "So we're gonna be more civilized. You know Randy's mantra is always `the punishment fits the crime'. Well the so-called `crime' in this case was sex, so the punishment must be too." Hassan and Chad dropped their shorts and their cocks sprang out hard, stiffened by the prospect of working over the tough, alpha Aussie. "Get your ass down here, stud," the captain ordered. "We want you buck naked." Adam came down the steps, faced the men and dropped his shorts. "On your knees, man." Adam fell to his knees and stared at the two thick shafts pointing at his face – one standing straight out from blond pubic hair, the other from a black hairy mass. As Hassan was the primary aggressor Adam submitted to him first. He bent forward and lowered his mouth slowly over the Arab's cock until his face was buried in his black pubes. The three boys watched in awe. Nate sat between the other two and they both grabbed his hand. "You OK, Nate," Will asked anxiously. "Sure, kiddo. I know Adam, and sucking off two studs like this ain't exactly a punishment." Eddie grinned, "And if it's any consolation, dude, that ain't the captain's tone of voice when he's real mad. It's the tone he uses to order me around `cos he knows I get off on it. I know what I'm talking about – I can read that Marine like a book. But the boys back home should get to watch, so good job I brought this." He picked up his ever-present camera and focused it on the action. It seemed the boys were right, as the Aussie didn't hesitate to swallow the soldier's cock, his handsome face pounding down on it so the bulbous head slammed the back of his throat. If this was his punishment he wanted it to hurt – though sucking the hot Marine's dick was more pleasure than pain. He feasted on the solid hunk of meat without choking, until tears were running down his face and he knew Hassan was close to orgasm. But he felt the Marine's hand grab his head and pull it back. Hassan grinned down at the gasping Aussie. "Damn, you are one hot fucking son-of-a-bitch, dude. Now you gotta give the same treatment to the man you wronged." Adam shifted sideways and faced the beautiful cock he knew so well and had sucked so many times. It was definitely not a punishment ... and yet this time it held greater significance than it ever had before. It was a ritualistic way of expressing his remorse to his lover for the way he had betrayed his love for him. He was not only making amends, he wanted to give the handsome doc more pleasure than ever before. Adam even recalled some of the cocksucking tips he had heard Eddie give to the boys. He opened his mouth wide, lowered it over his lover's cock, then breathed warm air over it as a tease before the main event. Then he contracted his throat muscles and clamped them over the long shaft, the start of the most erotic blowjob he had ever given Chad. It brought loud moans of pleasure from the handsome blond, staring down at the strong, chiseled features of the macho Aussie on his hands and knees. Chad curled his hand gently behind Adam's head and held it in place so he could push his rod in deeper and deeper. Hassan looked at the lovers with satisfaction, and Adam was too engrossed in his lover to notice the soldier walk behind him and drop to his knees. But he was suddenly aware of the Marine's strong hands grabbing his waist ... and pulling his ass hard back on his wet cock. "Aaagh!" Adam's head flew back, off Chad's cock, but Chad instantly pulled his face forward and drove his cock in his mouth as Hassan drove into his ass." The boys watched in awe as the naked jock, helpless on all fours, was fucked in the face and ass by the blond doc and the dusky Arab soldier. Eddie confidently caught the action on camera but Will stiffened with some alarm. Nate reassured him with his cheerful Aussie drawl. "Don't worry, mate, you know what they're doing to him?" "They're spit-roasting him," Will gasped. "Well sure they are, but much more than that, dude. It's they're first three-way that is all about love, not punishment. Chad has changed, they've all changed, and this is the result – three hot guys making love to each other with no stupid talk of infidelity or monogamy." "Are you OK with that, dude?" Will frowned. "Are you kidding? This is what I've wanted from the beginning. I knew they couldn't keep up the monogamy thing for long, not in this tribe, and it kinda scared me. This means we really are a family, and Hassan won't be the only man in the tribe to join in the fun and games. I'll be surprised if we're not recruited to join in this little show soon. That would take a few minutes, though, as the spit-roast continued. The macho Aussie's muscles flexed and rippled as he got pounded at both ends and Hassan grinned at Chad across his back. "You OK with this, doc?" "Sure I am," Chad panted as he face-fucked his lover. "Let's give it to him, soldier – `cos he fucking loves it." So the double assault intensified until Chad gasped, "I'm so damn close to spilling my load in his mouth, Hassan. What d'ya say?" "No, wait, doc. Let's make this a family affair. Hey, you kids. Get your asses over here and show us your cocks." He pulled out of Adam's ass and Chad pulled out of his mouth. Hassan pressed his foot on his butt and shoved him down on his back. "Gather round, boys. Let's show the man of the house how much the family loves him." Adam looked up at the circle standing round him – two men, three boys ... and five cocks being pounded in five fists. A smile spread over his sculpted features and he pleaded, "No, mates, have mercy. Not five, I can't take five streams of ... Aaagh!" That's exactly what the macho Aussie got – five gushers, jizz splashing down from all sides in his dark hair, on his face and neck, his flexed pecs and abs, as his body writhed on the ground. Panting hard he grabbed his own cock and with a few strokes pumped his own juice to add to the pools soaking his naked body. Eddie was the first to regain his breath. "Now that, guys, is what you call pornographic." He picked up his discarded camera and zoomed in on the erotic image of the muscular Aussie's cum-drenched body. "And that, as we say in the movie biz, is definitely a wrap." <><> FOLLOW YOUR JOY <><> After that it was as if the old chapter closed and a new one opened. All traces of doubt disappeared from the three men as they raced down to the water and roughhoused in the surf to clean off, then came back to the shack and back to their cocktails – as equals. Will ran back to the kitchen and enlisted Eddie's help in pulling dinner together. Nate said to the men, "I hate to see Will spending so much time in the kitchen. He's not supposed to be working, he should be having fun." "Nate," Chad said gently, "cooking for others is Will's joy. He is just following his joy, which we all should learn to do – throw off the conventions of society we have been trained to obey and simply follow our joy." He smiled at Hassan and Adam, his own source of joy. Eddie and Nate set up the dinner table on the porch and Will brought out the first course. He was, of course, wearing his uniform of the dark green apron and white chef's hat that he had brought with him from home, and he glowed with the pride – and joy – of a happy chef. Following tradition, Adam stood up and raised his glass in thanks to Will. As the others cheered, Will raised his hat up high and swooped it down in a low theatrical bow. The evening continued in the same merry mood until there were yawns all round and Adam said, "Guys, it's been a long, long day. Hard to believe that it was only this morning that Hassan showed up ... in the doorframe," Adam grinned, "and we went through that ritual of guilt and penance. Eddie, you and your trusty camera missed that one – it was one for the archives." Chad took over. "And then we called the boys to join us and they jumped on a train. The three of us had a boozy lunch, then slept it off with a long afternoon nap in the beach, before going to the station to meet the boys' train. I'll never forget that raucous reunion on the platform. It's no exaggeration to say it was the start of a whole new life for me." "And then a pornographic spit-roast," Eddie laughed, "which I did get on camera to entertain the boys back home. There won't be a dry dick in the house." "And so to bed," Chad said. "Any thoughts, guys?" Hassan smiled at Eddie. "I haven't had time yet to give my boy the greeting he deserves, and if I know you, kid, you wanna sleep in the tent like we have in the past." "Of course, sir. But me and Will were talking and, well, if it's OK with you we'd like to, er, take care of you together. Better two mouths and two butts than one, don't ya think, sir?" "Damn straight – I'd go for that, boy." He ruffled Will's red hair. "You OK with that, Will? You think the twins would be in favor?" "Sir, Kyle and Kevin's only order was for me to have fun. And taking care of you sounds like a whole lot of fun." Hassan looked questioningly at Adam and Chad, and Chad smiled. "Hassan, the three of us have plenty of time to get closer acquainted. Right now it would be great to share the big bed in the shack with our boy Nate and make up for all the time we've lost in recent weeks. So all those in favor, guys?" Every hand shot up and it was settled. In the shack the small family of Adam, Chad and their boy made love in bed, putting to rest all the recent fears that the family might be in trouble. And this time, somehow, their love-making had a new sense of liberation, now that the edict of monogamy had been rescinded, opening the way for many new delights to come. But eventually sleep overcame them and Nate fell asleep between Adam and Chad – his favorite place in the world. As for the tent in the dunes, it was the scene of tender loving care as the naked Marine lay on his back and surrendered to the combined attentions of two besotted boys. They took it in turns, one sucking the captain's huge dick while the other kissed his face and licked his body. There were multiple eruptions of cum until all three were sexually and emotionally exhausted. The husky soldier lay between the two sated boys, all lulled into sleep by the sound of hissing waves and the breeze whispering through the dune grass. No one could have predicted that their story was soon to take one last dramatic turn. <><> HOUSEHOLD GODS <><> Next morning, predictably, Will was the first to wake. He eased himself quietly from under Hassan's sprawled harm, left the tent and ran to the shack to prepare breakfast. In the bedroom Nate stirred and stumbled drowsily into the kitchen to help Will. A short time later everything was set up on the patio and the men began to emerge. "Mmm," Chad said, `nothing like the smell of brewing coffee to wake a guy up. Will, you've done it again. But we don't wanna overwork you, kiddo ..." "Don't even go there, sir," Will grinned, "it's my pleasure. "Why walk all the way into the village for breakfast when we have the perfect setup here?" "And a master chef to cook for us," Adam said, ruffling Will's read hair. Yesterday's frantic tempo gave way now to a lazy day, where men and boys did more or less as they pleased, whether it involved vigorous exercise or simply chilling out on the beach. After a long laidback breakfast Adam and Chad proposed a run on the beach. "Count me out, guys," Hassan smiled. "I had enough strenuous exercise in military maneuvers at the Marine Base before coming here. I'm just gonna kick back here and read my book." "Sirs," Nate said, "if it's OK with you I won't join you either, `cos I'd like to go surfing. There's several boards in the shed here that Jamie uses. As you know I've been working a lot with Jamie who's in charge of all the surfing action on Grady's lifeguard movie. It's bloody brilliant," he enthused in his cheerful Aussie drawl, "and I'm learning a lot. But keeping up with those guys takes a lot of practice." "Good on ya, mate," Adam grinned, "we'll soon have a movie star in the family. So go for it, kid, but take care out there." "You boys care to join me?" Nate said to Eddie and Will. They looked at each other uncertainly and Eddie said, "Nah, Will and me are klutzes on a surfboard compared to you. We don't wanna be shown up by you, dude, so we'll just stay on the beach and drool admiring you." And so they prepared to go their separate ways. Chad and Adam relished the thought of being alone together for a while, just the two of them, something they hadn't been since Hassan had arrived, and then the boys. They were barefoot, of course, in board shorts, and Hassan ginned as he looked them over. "Yeah, drooling sounds like a plan. Damn you two muscle-jocks look good enough to eat. So I'll just work up an appetite here and drool, fantasizing about those gleaming spray-soaked bodies pounding through the surf. The two men took off on what they intended to be a long run, while Eddie and Will cleared the breakfast things off the porch and Nate rummaged in the shed behind the shack. He came round to the front with his surfboard, held it erect and waxed it as the boys watched. "Now that," Eddie said to Will, "is what you call a major Aussie hottie. That body has really filled out lately, especially since he's done all that surfing with Jamie. I gotta get that on video." He picked up his ever-present camera and trained it on the sexy surfer, his muscles flexing and gleaming as he waxed the board. Eddie knew how to film discreetly and Nate was unaware he was being admired and filmed, which made him even sexier. When the waxing was complete, Eddie trained his camera on Nate running down to the water, his surfboard under his arm. When he reached the shallow surf he tossed the board in and launched himself on it. His shoulders and arms bulged as he paddled strongly though the breaking waves into the distance, and Eddie murmured "cut", the end of the surfer-boy video. Hassan had been watching too. "Beautiful ain't he, boys? I can see why he's been Adam's boy for so many years – the big Aussie is crazy about him, and Chad loves him too now. What a trio. OK, that's it for me, kids. Go build a sandcastle or something `cos I'm gonna veg out here with my book. He sprawled in one of the Adirondack chairs, put on a baseball cap and pulled it low to shield his eyes from the sun." "Hey, how about that idea, dude?" Eddie grinned. "When I was a kid I built the best sandcastles on the beach, I was the champ. Feel like recapturing your childhood, Will? They grabbed buckets went down to the wet sand and began shoveling. It was a scene of domestic bliss – a family outing at the beach. But peace this serene was almost like a challenge to the household gods – who protected the family most of the time. But even household gods responded to a challenge now and then. <><> THE RESCUE <><> The boys had been working in the sand for some time when they stood up to take a breather and gazed out to sea, shading their eyes to watch Nate. "Wow," Will said, "he looks so hot when he jumps up on the board like that. Look at him riding higher. But, er, Eddie, what's that other big wave out there?" "Damn. Looks like what they call a rogue wave. Comes in at a different angle from the rest and sometimes collides with ... I hope Nate knows about it, `cos ..." The boys gasped in horror as the huge wave came up behind Nate and knocked him sideways off the board. He disappeared underwater and when he resurfaced he was being tossed around, dangerously close to an outcropping of rocks. "He's not swimming," Will said in alarm. "Is he unconscious, d'ya think?" He looked up toward the shack and yelled, "Sir, sir, help. Something's happened, we need you, sir." Hassan leapt up from his chair, looked out to sea and grabbed the binoculars that were always on the table. He trained them on churning water and glimpsed Nate being thrown around close to the rocks. He put down the binoculars, rushed out to the boys and spoke with the calm authority of a Marine captain. "Looks like he's not responding – maybe hit by his surfboard or the rocks. Trouble is there's a strong rip current so he'll be carried along parallel to the beach and not in toward shore. I gotta go get him. You run along the beach and try to keep up, I may need your help. Whatever you do, do not come in the water. I don't wanna have to save three of you." Without another word Hassan pounded into the water and swam strongly in the direction he had last glimpsed Nate. He looked for him frantically but the choppy water from the rogue wave hindered his vision. Thoughts of Adam and Chad raced through his mind ... then suddenly he saw an arm. He launched himself toward it and grabbed Nate. "It's OK, kid, I've got you. Can you hear me, Nate? It's Hassan." There was only a dull moan in response, so Hassan rolled on his back, hooked his arms under Nate's armpits and pulled him up on his back on top of him. Both of them were on their backs, Nate lying limply on Hassan's chest. Hassan wrapped one arm round Nate's neck in a classic lifesaving hold, stroked with his free arm and frog-kicked his legs strongly to propel them backwards. Mercifully the swell had subsided but the rip current was strong. Hassan knew better than to aim for shore. The only way was to let the current carry them parallel to the shore and gradually ease closer to the beach. The boys ran frantically along the beach trying to stay level with what they could see of the rescue. It seemed like an eternity before they sensed that Hassan was managing to swim closer in. Hassan's body was strong and as a Marine he had been trained for situations like this, but even he felt exhaustion overtaking him. His legs were tiring and his arm round Nate was feeling numb. It was the thought of Adam and Chad and their love for this boy that kept him going, refusing to submit to the power of the tide. "He's doing it!" Eddie, yelled. "They're getting closer." As Hassan cleared the crashing waves into shallower water, Eddie and Will waded in to meet them. Hassan was gasping so the boys got on either side of Nate and hooked his arms over their shoulders. They eased him to shore, boosted by the small waves rolling in behind them. Hassan fell to his knees gasping and the boys were afraid for a minute that he was going to pass out. But he stumbled ashore and instructed the boys to lower Nate onto his back on the beach. Hassan knelt beside him, opened Nate's mouth, pulled out his tongue and pressed his ear to his mouth. "Is he gonna be OK, sir?" Will asked. "He's swallowed a lot of water but I'll see what I can do. If you ever pray, kids, now would be the time." The boys gripped each other's hand as they watched Hassan straddle Nate on his knees, cross his hands on his chest and begin CPR. After pressing down a few times he leaned forward, pinched Nate's nose, closed his mouth over his and exhaled and inhaled sharply, breathing for the boy. He pulled back for more CPR that he alternated with the rescue breathing. Suddenly Eddie yelled, "I can see the guys ... they're coming back. Stay here Will." Eddie rushed down the beach and spoke urgently to the men who broke into a run, then looked down aghast at the drama unfolding on the sand. "What happened?" Adam asked, his face ashen." Will said calmly. "Nate was hit by a rogue wave, sir and was knocked unconscious, but Hassan swam out to him and carried him all the way along the rip current to here. He was wonderful, sir, but he said Nate's swallowed a lot of water so he's doing the kiss of life." Hassan ignored them all, concentrating on his lifesaving measures. Chad said, "OK, I'll take over now. I'm a doctor." Hassan paused long enough to look up and said gruffly, "And I'm a Marine – we're trained for this – it's what we do. Everyone stand back." <><> KISS OF LIFE <><> Adam put a restraining arm on Chad, and the men and boys gazed down desperately as Hassan continued his efforts. Chad was about to intervene again when suddenly Nate's head moved. He coughed and water poured from his mouth. Hassan kept the pressure on his chest until the water stopped flowing and Nate opened his eyes. Hassan leaned over him and said, "Nate ... Nate ... do you know who I am?" "You're Hassan, sir. Hello." And Nate managed a watery smile. Hassan leaned exhausted over him and Adam helped him unsteadily to his feet. "OK, doc," Hassan said, "over to you. He shouldn't be moved for a while, but I'm sure you know that." "Hey," Nate said weakly, looking up at them. "What's everyone doing here? Did I wipe out or something?" Chad knelt beside him and said, "You're safe now, Nate, thanks to Hassan. You've got a nasty bump on your forehead. Looks like the board hit you, but it's not cut." Chad looked up at the boys. "Hey, Eddie, can you run to the shack and get that big blanket? I don't wanna move Nate but he must be covered up and kept warm to guard against shock. And Will, you'll find my doctor's bag in the back of the SUV. Bring that so I can check his vitals." "Yes, sir." They ran off, their relief adding speed to their legs. Adam knelt down beside Nate and said to Chad, "Is he gonna be OK, doc?" "Sure he is. He's a tough young Aussie, of course he is." He looked up at Hassan. "You know you saved his life, captain. That was an amazing feat. I can't imagine how you brought him all this way in that current. You must be exhausted. You should go back to the shack and rest. "Adam I want Nate to stay here for a good half hour. When the boys come back I'll check him out, and he'll be comfortable covered by the blanket. When he can stand on his own the boys and I will bring him back. Adam bent down and kissed Nate. "You're in good hands, mate. You've got a doc and a Marine to protect you, and a big ol' Aussie who's loved you for years, kiddo." "Thank you sir," Nate smiled. "I love you too ... and Chad ... and Hassan too. Er, will you go and thank Hassan for me, sir. I think he saved my life." Chad stared at Adam. "And thank him for me, Adam. Thank him in whatever way you like. You understand?" "You mean that, mate? You don't mind if ..." "I don't mind anything, Adam. Hassan is not only one of us, he saved our boy. Now go and thank him for us both." "I love you, doc," Adam smiled. After another kiss for Nate Adam stood up and ran up the beach to where Hassan was walking unsteadily toward the shack. Adam caught up with him and they stopped and gazed into each other's eyes. "You OK, solider?" Adam asked. "Sure I am. We Marines are a tough bunch." "Dude," Adam said, eyes brimming with tears. "I don't know how I can ever thank you ..." The full horror of what could have happened caught up with him and he threw his arms round Hassan and sobbed into his shoulder. "When I think how close we came to losing him ... " "But we didn't, did we, Adam? He's safe and the family is intact – stronger than ever I would say, buddy, wouldn't you?" They continued walking and Hassan said, "By the way, bro, with everything that's happened lately I don't think I've ever told you what I think of you. I never told you that I've always quietly lusted for you, you're such a hot fucking dude – that tough Aussie thing you got going and all. When you come into a room I always get a hard-on. `Course, I could never do anything because you and Chad were so into each other ... until I fucked everything up by ..." "Hassan, that is all water under the bridge. Everything's changed since then, mate – Chad has changed, I've changed and, hell man, you're a fucking hero – you saved our boy and brought him back to us. I've gotta give you something back in return. Just name it, dude." Hassan smiled a weary smile. "Well, maybe there is. Chad said I need to rest and he's right. I was gonna crawl into that tent all alone and ... well, maybe not all alone now, eh?" Adam grinned, "You got it, soldier - anything you want." They plodded up the dunes to the hollow where the tent was waiting for them. Hassan pulled the tent flap back and smiled. "Mi casa es tu casa, amigo." Adam crawled in, followed by Hassan and they zipped the flap shut. Any sounds coming from inside the tent were muted by the breeze blowing through the dune grass and the inquisitive seagulls wheeling overhead. <><> TRIBE GOSSIP <><> An hour later, peace reigned. Nate was in bed in the shack being pampered by Eddie and Will. Will had warmed up some of the rhubarb pie he had brought here, Nate's favorite, and loaded it with ice cream. Eddie kept up a running stream of banter, which had the happy effect of taking Nate's mind off the trauma he had been through. And Chad was on the porch on the phone to Bob. Before leaving town he had promised to keep Bob informed on how events were progressing, and he had kept his promise with regular updates. This one was more dramatic than most, and Chad stressed to an anxious Bob that all was well – better than ever in fact. To lighten the mood he said, "But enough about our life and death escapades. Tell me what's going on in the tribe in our absence". Bob filled him in with various pieces of trivia, including another planned out-of-town trip. "Who this time, Bob, and where too?" "Well, you know, Miguel is not only the executive chef of the Ritz Carlton downtown, he acts in an advisory role supervising their other California properties. Management has asked him to spend a weekend at the Ritz down the coast in Laguna Niguel, where it seems the kitchens are having some problems. Part of it is accounting issues and Miguel wants to take our office manager Brandon with him to look at their system – an impartial non-employee assessment. "So he approached Pete, as Brandon is his boy, and offered them both a weekend down there, living it up, all expenses paid. Pete and Brandon jumped at the chance of a luxury weekend, and Miguel plans to take his boy Finn with them too." "Wow, quite a foursome," Chad chuckled. "The Hispanic hunk and his bad boy Finn, and the handsome Ranger and his sweet, talented boy Brandon. Wanna make any predictions, Bob?" "Nah, I'll wait until the reports come in. They always keep me posted. Talking of which, doc, reassure me once again that all is well with your little family up there." "Couldn't be better, Bob." "And where are Adam and Hassan right now?" "Still in the tent in the dunes. And it's still zipped up." "And, er, you're OK with that, Chad?" "Ah, that's the best part of the whole thing, Bob. They're probably fucking their brains out right now and I love it. I couldn't be happier. Quite a turn around, wouldn't you say?" <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial of Strength" – Chapter 539 Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter got you off, and I welcome your comments and suggestions, which can be very helpful in planning future chapters. E-mail me in confidence at rw6789@aol.com. ALSO, I invite you to visit my own Web-site www.atrialofstrength.com. You can read the whole story, with extras including pictures and biographies of all the characters. AND DON'T FORGET – IF YOU ENJOY THESE STORIES, PLEASE DONATE to this site. Nifty needs your donations to provide these thousands of wonderful stories. So please go to http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html and donate what you can. All the other writers and I thank you.