OPEN QUESTION.

Usual Disclaimer: If you are not 18 years old yet do not read.
If you are offended by male to male sexual content definitely do not read.
If the laws in your state or country forbid this type of material, do not read.
Otherwise enjoy the story and genuine comments will be appreciated.
The author retains copyright (2010) to this story. Reproducing this story for distribution without the author's permission is a violation of that copyright.
This story is fiction.
Thank you Nifty for the opportunity to post this story.


In Chapter 2 Brendan had a close encounter with a wombat.
He also had to get used to being called 'Donkeydong'.

Open Question. Chapter 3.

On Friday night at the start of the two week holiday break, their backpacks loaded, Phillip and Brendan drove to the suburb where Johnno lived and stayed the night. Johnno was about six years older than Brendan and his family had been Phillip's friends for ages.
The next five days were the best adventure Brendan had ever had.
Up till now that had been the weekends at the beach with Phillip where he'd learnt body surfing, and the day adventures exploring the local rivers and hills. This was so different to what he expected.
They slept under great overhangs and climbed great masses of rock jutting out of the ground where if you slipped you'd kill yourself. Johnno and Phillip climbed in the most incredible places and a couple of times Brendan knew he was beyond his ability. Phillip praised him for being sensible then showed him a few things to help make him safer.
They watched eagles soaring and Phillip freaked when a pair of peregrine falcons stooped down a canyon in the rocks.
Johnno was great fun and so friendly. He wore camouflage clothes from his training in the army reserves and Phillip kept calling him Soldier Boy. The best night was camping at the base of a huge vertical rock-face with a small creek trickling past, and talking by a campfire about other adventures and all sorts of things.
It got so cold in the night that Brendan was glad he was snug in his sleeping bag between Phillip and Johnno in the two-man tent.
One day when they found a creek with a deep pool Johnno stripped and dived in. His yell was so loud it echoed. Phillip said he was crazy then also stripped, but left his jocks on, and followed. He claimed it wasn't cold but was out in a couple of seconds. When Brendan jumped in it made his skin sting and Johnno started carrying on about brass monkeys.
That was for sure.
They went abseiling, which was fantastic and totally terrifying for the first couple of goes, and on the last day Brendan got to drive the car for about twenty kilometers on a remote gravel road, with Phillip keeping a watchful eye and Johnno saying about a hundred times that they were going to crash.

***

"Oh My God. Oh My God. ..My pillows."

Robin rushed inside and returned with four pillows which she said were totally essential, and they were on the way to Anglesea with Robin and Martin in the front and Brendan in the back with the pillows arranged all around him. The radio or CDs went non-stop with loud singing and arguing over which track to play next. Robin liked different kinds of songs to Martin and they spent all the time saying how crappy each other's choices were. It was funny though and part of what always happened when they travelled together. They stopped in Geelong for food, and something was going on because they kept whispering furtively to each other. Martin took Brendan into a music shop and Robin said she wasn't interested and went off by herself.

***

"They're a special present and you have to promise to wear them while we're at the beach."

"No way."

They were at the dressing sheds near the beach car park.

"I picked them out just for you. ...So so everyone can see how sexy you are."

Brendan couldn't say no to Robin. She was absolutely loving this idea of hers and he knew she wouldn't give up.
This was going to be so embarrassing. At least she knew his favorite color.
At Brendan's reluctant agreement she flung her arms round in one of her typical hugs, gave him a kiss then made him double vow and cross his heart that he wouldn't change his mind. He really wanted to when he put them on. How could she choose something like this? They were just too low in the front and the only way to fit in was to adjust his dick to the side, which made it look like he was excited. God, Martin would never stop saying Donkey Dong after this.
Brendan carried his day-pack in front of him but when they reached the sand he had to make the big revelation.

"OH MY GOD. ...SEX GOD!"

She said it so loudly that a couple of girls nearby had a good look. Martin started pointing his mobile phone and Brendan sat down quickly when a few other heads turned. It was embarrassing, but no one had ever called him a sex god before so it felt good at the same time.
Sun-cream went on, from Robin, and then there was a swim in the surf. Robin had a two-piece bikini which was very revealing and Brendan smiled to himself that Miss Pinkie and Miss Perky were putting on as much of a show as Mister Perky. After drying off they wandered slowly along the beach. Robin gave his arm a nudge and indicated a guy sunbaking on a big blue towel.

"Oh My God Brendan. Ten out of ten. What did you think?"

"Um. ...Nine."

"I saw him first ...he's mine."

After that it was a game between them to find and rate the different guys. It was the first time ever that he'd voiced his opinion about other guy's looks and with Martin there it felt very strange, but after rating a few more he relaxed and went along with the terms Robin used. Eventually they were even arguing over which ones were bed material.
With his phone sneaking photos of almost every girl on the beach there was no doubt about where Martin's eyes were turning.
Brendan wasn't even allowed to put his shorts on when they walked back over the sand dunes to the beach kiosk.
In the evening they left the wagon at the camping park so Robin could drink whatever she felt like and walked to the beach. Martin produced the inevitable joints and they talked and laughed till it got dark and then a round of truth or dare started which was very funny and ended up with a group dare for them all to go in the water nude. It was clear that Martin was making a play for Robin but she thought it was all fun anyway and led the way. The water looked so dark and spooky in the moonlight that they barely got waist deep before there was a mad rush back to the clothes.
Martin and Robin used the tent and Brendan slept in the wagon. Martin had organised that with him back at home.
They all slept in next morning and there was only time for a couple of hours at the surf. The waves were better than the day before and Brendan used all of the time body surfing. He spent most of the trip home dozing.

***

Two days later Brendan went to Phillip's house in the morning. He'd have the computer all to himself for hours and would get stacks of things done. First of all he went through Phillip's DVD of photos from the hike and chose one for a new wallpaper. Then he looked at some websites about Anime movies. He had a snack upstairs and was just starting a big project of music downloading when Martin came in. What was he doing here this early?

"Hi DD, what you doing?"

"Music."

"Much of it?"

"Yet, but I can do it later."

"Great, I want to see my phone photos on the computer."

Brendan had wondered about those. Martin connected his phone and downloaded the memory card then collected all the extras he'd e-mailed to himself into the same directory and they started going through them. They were really clear pictures and Brendan wondered how Martin had such a good phone. There were some close-ups in the wagon of Robin and Brendan singing or making faces, a few in Geelong, then zillions of the two of them in bathers.

"Good present hey Brendan?"

"Embarrassing."

"You liked them though."

"I suppose. It was sort of fun because it was Robin's big deal for the day."

"Yeah, she sure loves cocks."

It was true but Brendan didn't reply. He didn't like talking about her like that.

"Hey look at this pic. You got stiff."

"No I didn't."

"As if. ...You can't tell me that's not stiff."

"It's just the bathers."

"Robin thought you were stiff too."

"She did not."

"She did. I asked her because talking about cocks gets her going."

He laughed.

"She'd like to see DD when he's awake."

"Did she say that or are you winding me up.?"

"Of course she said it. That's normal Brendan."

The series of photos when Brendan dropped his day-pack at the beach finished and now there were even more of Robin. It was obvious what Martin's focus was, from all the zoom-ins of her bikini top and bottom. He ogled the shots where Robin was coming out of the water.

"Look at her nips. They're standing out from the cold."

He twisted his head to look up at Brendan.

"Do you look at her tits?"

"Of course I do. They're so big you can't help it."

"I hope the tit shots I took in the tent work out. They're close-ups. Look. ..Here's the guy who turned you on. I took a few of him so DD can have a good wank."

He blew the picture up to full screen and wanted to know why Brendan liked the guy so much.

"He hasn't even got a big dick. Is it because he's wearing bathers like yours?"

"I don't know. He just looks good."

Martin rushed through to the tent photos.

"The first ones Pinkie and the second one's Perky. Look how tight they are. I teased them up for the photos. And look at this. It's just before I porked her. What do you reckon?"

Brendan couldn't believe Martin was showing this picture of himself with his hand holding his erection. How could he answer the question? He couldn't say it looked good and he couldn't say it didn't.

"You look real hard."

"God yeah. She really knows how to get you ready. Ever had anyone work your dick?"

"No."

In the next couple of minutes Martin copied all the pictures of Brendan, the turn-on guy, and the pictures of his own erection, into the DD folder then took Brendan outside to share a joint. He was offering it almost every time they met now, and though Brendan meant to stop he liked it so much he always ended up accepting.

***

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

"To the bridge with the fish?"

"You'll see."

"Why aren't you telling me?"

"You'll see."

Brendan laughed and for once his surprise attack worked as he pulled Phillip backwards on to the ground.

"Brendan you sneak."

He held his arm out and waited to get pulled to his feet.

"I have to. It's the only way I can get you down."

"I wouldn't worry about that. At the rate you're getting stronger you'll be throwing me round easily in a few months. I think I'll put a ban on wood-chopping and hikes."

"So where are we going?"

"Another twenty minutes. ...Unless you keep attacking me. Then we'll never get there."

It seemed longer than twenty minutes but that was because of the buildup. He was doing it on purpose, Brendan knew that, but that meant there was a reason. It must be something to do with his birthday. That was the only thing Brendan could think of.
A short way past the bridge they left the track and dodged around some tree ferns to a small clearing beside a tall tree.

"Here we are."

"What's here?"

"Help me clear away this bark first. Enough so we can both sit down."

That didn't take long and Phillip organised Brendan so that he was sitting with his back against the tree trunk.

"This is one of my secrets Brendan. It's my special tree and I want to share it with you. It's the best tree I've ever seen and I don't even know why. When I found it five years ago I knew straight away. Sometimes when I want to think about things all by myself I come here and sit quietly. A bit weird hey?"

Brendan shook his head. He had his own place where he did exactly the same sort of thing.

"I sit right where you are, with my head against the trunk and imagine it's helping me, and I stand with my hands on the bark and feel its strength."

Brendan jumped up and rested his hands on the bark and felt a hug from Phillip.

"I thought you'd do that. Let's try and push it over."

Phillip's hands closed over Brendan's and for a couple of seconds the pressure mounted, then eased off.

"It's immoveable isn't it? I think it over a hundred years old and it could live for hundreds more. Do you know what sort it is?"

"I think it's a mountain ash."

"You're right, but I like its scientific name better. Eucalyptus Regnans, which means king of the gum trees. That really fits because it can grow taller than any other gum tree as well as any other hardwood tree."

Phillip backed away and Brendan left his hands where they were and gazed upwards.

"You know this is because of your birthday don't you?"

"Yes, as soon as you said you were sharing."

"How long have we been friends?"

"Um. ...Since the holidays at the end of Year Six when you loaned me that computer. Four and a half years."

"It's because of you, you know. You keep enjoying everything we do and making it better. I've got something a bit different too, if you'd like to have it?"

"It's amazing, and I'll keep it secret."

"The tree? I know you will. But what I've got is magic."

Phillip laughed at Brendan's expression.

"Not really but it used to be."

>From his day pack he took a small satin-covered box.

"Open it and take whichever one you want."

Inside were two silver chalices, about the size of small drinking glasses. They looked identical and Brendan took the nearest one. Phillip took the other then led the way back to the bridge where they filled them, as well as a drink bottle, with cool, clear water then returned to the tree.

"Now we need fire but I'd like it to be from the tree so we'll collect some of the dry bark and twigs."

When that was done Phillip produced a magnifying glass and said fire for magic had to be natural. They had to find a spot where the sun shone through then Brendan used the magnifying glass to start a little fire which was carried back and set in the spot where Phillip wanted it.

"In ancient times people thought that everything that existed was made of earth, air, fire and water so that's what we're using. Are you ready to start?"

"Yes."

"Sit against the tree, take off your shirt and your shoes and socks, and cross your legs."

Brendan did that. Phillip did the same and arranged things so that their knees were touching, the little fire was burning between them, and everything else was in reach.

"This will take a while because we need plenty of ashes."

Completely intrigued, Brendan fed the fire till there was a good buildup of ash and a glowing centre of coals. Phillip scraped the hot ash into a pile at one side, smothered it with a handful of black loamy soil, then poured water from the drink bottle and used a stick to make a mix of soil, ash and water.

"Earth stands for strength Brendan."

He gathered the sludge and smeared it on both Brendan's shoulders, in a patch on the middle of his chest, and on both his cheeks.

"It's your turn if you want to share it back."

Brendan saw a twinkle in Phillip's eye so he mixed twice as much ash, soil, and water and used it all. It brought the smile he knew it would.

"Air stands for a clear mind and a strong spirit."

He leaned forward, filled his lungs with air, then pulled Brendan's head close with both hands and blew out slowly. Brendan felt a soft touch of air on his forehead. Amazing, it suddenly became too important to mess around.

"Fire is for energy and creativity."

Phillip held the palm of his hand over the coals. There was a quick movement and a flash of heat passed to Brendan's forehead. Wow, Brendan held his hand till the heat was too much to stand so he could share the fire.

"Water stands for good health and fast healing."

Water from the chalice poured, trickling from Brendan's forehead, down his face and onto his chest. Brendan emptied his chalice and wondered if that was the finish.

"Thank you Brendan. Now close your eyes. There was a rustle of sound and a soft pressure as something cool rested on the skin of his neck. It was easy to tell what it was.

"This is your birthday gift."

Brendan opened his eyes, caught the flash of silver and grabbed Phillip in an impulsive hug. The hug was returned then Phillip sat back, obviously happy that his gift had been received so well.

"It's sterling silver and as strong as they can make it."

Brendan reached for the clasp and couldn't figure how to undo it. Phillip did it then showed how the tiny mechanism worked.

Brendan fastened the necklace round Phillip's neck.

"What are you doing?"

"Seeing what it looks like. I'll have to wait for a mirror otherwise."

Brendan had another impulse.

"I wish I had something for you."

Phillip looked at him strangely.

"Magic... You're mind reading."

He fossicked in his day pack again then crossed his arms and rested a clenched fist on each of Brendan's knees.

"Take your choice."

Brendan hesitated. He was held for a moment in the intimacy of the touch, then he tapped Phillip's left wrist.

"Hold out your hand."

Something dropped to his palm -- a stone rested there, richly blue and speckled with black.

"See, you were mind reading. Now you give it to me and I give this one to you."

The swap was made and Brendan compared the two stones, almost identical in size and color but different in shape.

"They're turquoise, from America. The Navajo Indians used them as a sign of friendship and it's a bonus that it's your favorite color. Somehow the young guy I used to teach has turned into a young man and my second true friend, and this is a sign of how much it means to me. I hope you like yours.
I think I might put mine on my key ring."

Brendan didn't know what to say or do but Phillip understood that and pulled him to his feet.

"Come on, down to the bridge, someone managed to turn me into a mud painting."

***

Five days later on a Friday evening Brendan had his official birthday dinner at home with his mum, his older brother and relatives, as well as Phillip, Mike, Martin and Robin. There was tons of food and laughter and the presents were much better than he expected. Phillip and Mike left at about ten because they were getting up early for a weekend working-bee at Mike's other house in the city. Brendan was originally meant to go with them and help build a paling fence, but his mum needed him to use the ride-on mower and do some other jobs round their small farm.
In the morning he worked for nearly three hours then decided he'd finish the next day.
Good, he'd only had one short session on the net during the week and this was a chance for a catch up. He had to walk the three km into Phillip's house, but he was used to that, and started on the computer a bit after one o'clock. He did a quick check of DD. Martin was always changing things.
Look at that.
The desktop now had one of the pictures from the beach.
Typical. It was the one where Martin said he looked stiff. It did look a bit like it.
What? His balls didn't stand out like that did they? No, they'd been Photoshopped.
Brendan left DD, started some music downloading then did a Google for turquoise. A key ring was a good idea but after he'd thought about it, Brendan decided he'd like to put it with his necklace. He loved his necklace and still couldn't help checking what it looked like. Yes, a pendant would work well.

"Birthday boy?"

What did Martin want? Brendan texted back.

"?"

"Where are you?"

"Phillip's."

"Great, fifteen minutes."

Except for last night their paths hadn't crossed for over a week. He sounded eager. That was curious.

"Okay."

***

"Yo Brendan."

"Hi Martin."

"How's DD?"

"Okay."

"Hanging I mean?"

"Low."

"What about BB?"

"What do you mean?"

"Start up the desktop."

"I've got music coming down."

"Just change the user. It doesn't stop."

That was true. The new picture with Brendan in the bathers appeared.

"See, Bull Balls."

He hadn't said that for ages and he'd never used it in abbreviated form ever.

"Yes, but you faked them."

He laughed.

"I didn't think you'd notice."

Now Brendan had to laugh.

"Martin, they're as big as oranges. You couldn't not notice."

Martin grabbed Brendan's arm.

"Come on. Ready to party?"

"Party?"

"For your birthday. I got some good stuff, specially for you."

It really was good stuff and Brendan was soon grinning and laughing at everything Martin said.

"Cool?"

"Cool."

'Cool', along with 'unreal', 'smile', and 'party', were keywords which you always repeated as a response.

"Party?"

"Party."

"Stolle's or cider?"

"You've got both?"

Martin didn't bother to answer, just passed a Stolle's over. The cider followed, then Brendan was vaguely surprised when there were no more drinks.

"Hey Brendan, can you do this?"

Martin closed his eyes, and spread his arms then swung them in so that the tips of his pointer fingers would touch. He missed by miles and it looked so funny. Brendan tried and missed by just as much, and when he opened his eyes and saw his arms almost crossed it was wonderfully ridiculous. They started another joint each and Martin lost the inevitable big draw.

"Cheat. You've got big lungs. Robins got big lungs too. Hey, how's BB hanging?"

"Low."

"No. You say empty or full."

"Hah?"

"Did you whack off last night?"

"Ah. ...No."

"So they're full."

He changed the topic then a few minutes later asked the question again.

"How's BB hanging?"

"Um.. Low... Full. Full."

Brendan's change of answer was too slow to avoid the mandatory grope.

"You're crazy Martin."

"Cool."

"Cool."

"Hey, what about this guy? He was on the train this morning."

Martin took out his mobile and selected a picture.

"What about him?"

"Is he a turn on?"

"He's okay."

Martin started laughing.

"That means yes. We'll copy him in."

A few minutes later he'd constructed a new folder and started coaxing Brendan for the best turn-ons.

"What about this one?"

Brendan responded, some of these pictures did turn him on, and that's what they were doing now.

"You really like this one? He's another one without a very big dick."

Brendan reached a stage where he had to make himself more comfortable in his shorts and Martin noticed.

"How's DD?"

Brendan was caught. The complexity between DD and BB was a bit much at the moment and he was groped before he even opened his mouth.

"Oh My God. Brendan. He's high. Unreal. Take him out."

"Take him out?"

"Don't you take him out when you're looking at these guys?"

"Um... Yeah.".

Martin took advantage of Brendan's state and with lots of laughter and joking coaxed him out of his clothes by convincing him he'd agreed to have photos taken for Robin.

"I did?"

"Last time we were here. You're her sex-god and she wants to see. Don't you remember?"

Brendan remembered something but he wasn't sure what.

"Hey, try these out. They're for your birthday."

Brendan had to laugh when he read ,'Easy-Slide Personal Lubrication', on the large tube.

"And what's this?"

"A cock ring."

"Cock ring?"

"Sure. You'll love it."

After more coaxing, daring, a demonstration from Martin and lots of laughing, Brendan made the experiment then laughed inanely when the phone camera went to work.

END OF CHAPTER 4.

I hope you've gained some enjoyment from this story.
Any comments and feedback would be greatly appreciated.
My email address is iarwain@aanet.com.au
Alternative address, iarwain7@ains.net.au
Should you be interested, my other stories can be found by looking under 'Iarwain' in the authors section on Nifty.
Iarwain.