Chapter Two Brian walked down the p-way toward his room. All day he had dealt with the other cadet’s and their comments. The ad had come out late last night, and since then he had not heard the end of it. The name-calling, the hoots and hollers… the pinches to his ass. He knew that the next person who touched him would get a fist in the face. Brian had known that he would get some grief over doing the ad, but he had hoped that his being ordered to do it would calm things down a little. That little fact only made things worse. He had been called the ‘Admiral’s Pet’, and the other cadets were wondering what ‘favor’ he had done to get that job. It didn’t matter that Brian was the top of the class. Nothing mattered. He knew that he wouldn’t get any studying done in the dorms that night, so he headed straight to the phones in the main lobby. Pulling out Justin’s business card, Brian dialed the other man’s cell phone. He knew the number by heart, but a part of him still wanted to pretend that he wasn’t caught up in the blond as much as he was. “Hello.” Justin’s voice came across. Hearing the other man’s voice brought a small smile to Brian’s face, instantly making his day better. “Hey, it’s Brian.” He stated. “Hey.” Justin quietly replied, smiling at hearing the other man’s voice. He had been hoping that Brian would call, would take that step. “I was wondering… well you said that I could come over if I ever needed a place to … well if I needed a quiet place to study.” Brian fumbled. He hated that he sounded so unsure, that his inner feelings were coming out. He wanted to appear strong, but at that moment he was sounding needy. “I know you said the weekends, but…” “Come on over. I’ll cook us some dinner.” “Thanks. I’m heading out now.” Brian let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding, and brought his lower lip into his mouth. “Later.” Hanging up the phone, Brian quickly ran to his room to grab his bag. He needed to get away from the mess that was surrounding him in the dorms. He had to get away from the other cadets, even if it was only for a couple of hours. He only wished that he could stay away for the night. Ignoring the glances of the cadets sitting in the lounge, Brian left the building. His car refused to start at first but eventually gave in. He made a mental note to look under the hood over on the weekend and see if he could figure out what was wrong with it, besides the fact it was eleven years old and had more than two hundred thousand miles on it. It only had to last eight more months. It wouldn’t have mattered before. He could have stayed on the base or taken a bus if he had to get into town, but now there was Justin and the chance to be with him even if it was only to study. Pulling into the tidy parking area of Justin’s home, Brian almost sighed with relief at being there. The hardest part of Navy life that he’d had to get used to was the fact that rarely, if ever, were you alone. For someone of a solitary nature, this was hell and only focusing on his goals kept him from completely queening out on occasion. Fuck, if he ever did, he’d never live it down. “Hey Brian” Justin called from the open door. “You stuck?” he laughed. Justin’s smile was infectious and Brian grinned back. “Just thinking.” He grabbed his books and headed into toward the open door and Justin’s smile. “I really appreciate this Justin. I can’t seem to concentrate at the base. It’s important for me to be top in my class or at least to try my best.” “I told you, all I do in my spare time is paint. I promise not to paint loudly.” He joked. “But just in case, I’ve made you a study room in one of the spare bedrooms.” He led Brian up the stairs and threw open a door. “I was kind of hoping you’d want to come over to study and ……" Suddenly Justin was shy because the room had been outfitted with everything Brian could want to study with. There was a large library desk, a state of the art lap top computer and printer, paper and pens and pencils. A good reading light was placed over the desk and another by a heavy leather chair that stood in the corner. There was even a drafting table complete with a wheeled stool and the burgundy leather office chair looked sleek yet comfortable. Brian looked at Justin and then back at the room. “Holy shit Justin, is this your study? It doesn’t even look used.” “Actually, it was designed as ‘your’ study.” Justin’s voice was soft. He was hoping Brian wouldn’t take his offer in the wrong way. “I had this fantasy that maybe you’d take me up on my offer. I researched on the internet what you’d probably need and got it and I kind of asked a friend who knows someone at the Naval Academy to make sure I got the right books, software and things.” “What if I hadn’t called?” Brian found it hard to even speak. No one in his entire life had done something like this for him. “Then I guess the next step for me would be to join the Navy, but I get sea sick just looking at the water.” Justin grinned. “Hmmm, that would be some sacrifice. I guess I wouldn’t want to see you join up if you get seasick. I’ll have to use it then.” Brian had walked into the room, his eyes trying to take in everything that had been done. The paintings on the wall were all various ocean views. All except one that was of him, shirt off, white pants with the top button undone, his cap tilted over his eyes and his muscles buff and cut set in a background that could only be the ocean beach. He laughed out loud when he saw it. “I’m surprised you didn’t give me a tattoo.” “I would have but I couldn’t decide on the design.” Justin cocked his head to one side, critically observing his painting. “Though traditionally, don’t all you Navy Boys have at least one tattoo?” “I haven’t had the time to get one or the desire.” Brian answered honestly. “I might consider one though.” “Hmmmm, where would you put it?” Justin had many thoughts about where a tattoo would look hot. “Not sure.” Brian put his books on the desk. “I’d better get studying.” “One more thing and I’ll leave you alone.” Justin reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. “In case I’m not home, I thought you could use this.” He tucked the key into Brian’s hand, closing his fingers around it. “Justin…” Brian was at a loss once again for words. Justin kissed the taller man’s cheek. “It just makes things easier Brian. Don’t worry about intruding on me. You’re the only one who’s ever been here and I’m not planning tricking and bringing them back here ever.” With that said he turned and left the room. Brian sat at the desk. At first he arranged his books the way he liked them and then he turned on the computer. He had to grin when he saw that Justin had put a picture of himself on the screen as the background. It was Justin painting, wearing only a pair of shorts that hung low on his hips. He was painting a picture of Brian, in fact it seemed to be the one on the wall and Brian did laugh out loud when he saw that. Smiling to himself he soon was lost in his studies. He barely looked up when Justin came quietly into his office. Justin sat a plate filled with sandwiches down, a carafe of coffee and a bottle of water. He kissed the top of Brian’s head and then left once again. No words were spoken by either of them but Brian felt a warmth spread through his body. Somebody cared about him. It was a nice feeling. ~~~***~~~***~~~*** In the weeks that followed Brian’s first evening of study, the two men quickly found a routine. Brian gave up trying to study at all on the base. Since the publicity surrounding his ad campaign had magazines such as the Advocate calling him for interviews and wanting more pictures, Brian was trying to avoid everyone. One of the other cadets had taken a message from the Advocate and since then his life had been hell. If it hadn’t been for Justin’s calming influence he just knew he would have ended up in the brig and thrown everything he’d worked for away because he was so close to exploding. Chris was the worst one and now the guy had a following of friends who seemed to go out of their way to see how far they could take their harassment. For the last two days they all had been confined to base because of some piratical joke that Chris had played on another classmate that had backfired. No one was too pleased with the other cadet and because of that, some of the heat had been removed from Brian. He found himself daydreaming when he should have been studying. He was missing the peace and quiet of his own study office. He missed the suppers that Justin prepared, the conversations they had and the quiet almost shy kisses they’d exchanged. For some reason neither of them had gone any further with their relationship. Brian hoped it wasn’t because Justin wasn’t interested. Because it was all he could do to restrain himself some nights. Luckily his books called to him louder than his dick, but it was a damn close race. With no privacy at the bank of phones in the hallway by the lounge, Brian couldn’t even talk more than a few minutes each night to Justin. He actually ached to feel the touch of the other man’s hand on his arm. If everything went okay, he had four days off because of Thanksgiving. Four days when there was no curfew. He usually spent the time at a hotel downtown and studied. He could have stayed on base, but he hated the emptiness of being there alone. At least at a hotel there were other people around. Brian looked around before picking up the phone and calling Justin. He varied the times he called to eliminate anyone waiting to listen. All of them wanted to know what he was up to and who he was seeing. By now they figured he was seeing someone, not that he confirmed the fact. “Hey” he said into the phone when Justin answered. “I can come over tomorrow.” “So you got your ‘get out of jail free’ card in the mail.” Justin teased. And then he said more seriously. “It hasn’t been the same without you studying hard in your office.” “Can’t hear any wheels turning eh?” Brian said with a laugh. “That must be the sound I’m missing.” Justin grinned. The sound of Brian’s voice always made him giddy. “Are you able to spend the weekend here? I mean it is Thanksgiving and everything.” “You mean sleep there?” Brian asked. “Is that so hard to imagine?” “The sleeping part maybe.” His voice was full of suggestion. “It won’t change anything between us will it?” Justin asked. “I mean what if we suck?” “That would be a good thing.” Brian answered pretending not to understand what Justin meant. Justin laughed. “Yeah, it would be a good thing Navy Boy.” “Ohhhh, you say the sexiest things.” Brian laughed, his voice low so he wouldn’t be overheard by the guys in the lounge. “So if I promise to let you study in between ‘sleeping’ will you spend the weekend?” “What, no time to watch football?” “Do you really want to?” “No” Brian whispered. “Then no football. I’ll have to think of some other sport for you to watch.” “I’d rather play.” “That could be arranged too.” Justin’s smile came over the phone lines. “Later” he whispered before hanging up. ~~~***~~~***~~~*** “Justin, the man of the hour.” Matt Curtis walked into Justin’s office the day before the Thanksgiving break followed by two Naval Officers. Looking up Justin took in the group of three and stood up. “Matt, what can I do for you?” “I’d like you to meet Captain Isaac and Lieutenant Adams.” Justin shook hands with both of them. He noticed that the Lieutenant looked better in her uniform than the Captain did in his. They are here about the recruitment campaign we did a few months ago.” “What about it?” “Mr. Taylor, I’ll come right to the point.” Justin didn’t like the smart ass smirk on the face of Captain Adams though he willed his face not to show anything. “It’s about Cadet Kinney. I understand that you and Cadet Kinney have become involved.” “That’s really none of your business.” Justin answered. Damned if he’d let this asshole intimidate him. “Cadet Kinney is my business Mr. Taylor. He’s chosen a career path that makes it very much my business. I feel that it is in Cadet Kinney’s best interest if you and he go your separate ways.” “Or what?” Justin said. “Or you’ll kick him out; you’ll see that he fails, just what will you do to him?” He sat down and began to look at the proofs on his desk. “We have nothing to say. Who I see is none of your business. We’re friends, just friends. You two do understand the concept don’t you?” “It is important that Cadet Kinney focuses on his studies. His career with the Navy depends on it. I have reports that he’s been off base every night and every weekend since the shoot.” “And have his grades gone down?” Justin asked. “No, but it’s only a matter of time.” “Have you discussed this with Brian?” “We felt it would be best to come directly to you. After all you are the source of the potential problem.” Justin ached to wipe the sneer off of the Captain’s face. His hand clenched so hard he snapped the pencil he was holding in half. “I will talk to Brian about your little visit. It will be his decision whether we stop seeing each other.” “That won’t be necessary.” “But it will, we don’t keep secrets from one another.” “That’s our whole point Mr. Taylor. Cadet Kinney’s career choice involves a lot of secrets, secrets that he can’t tell you under any circumstance. Are you prepared to deal with that kind of relationship?” “I’ll worry about that when the time comes. Don’t let me keep you any longer.” Justin turned back to the story boards in front of him. For the first time he began to realize what a relationship with Brian might mean and he wondered if he emotionally confident enough to survive a lifetime of secrets and absences. Perhaps this little visit would be one secret he’d have to keep. Brian didn’t need the grief. ~~~***~~~***~~~*** Day before Thanksgiving Day 2010 Brian walked out of the Academy trying to keep the bounce out of his step. This would be the first time that he was actually going somewhere for the holiday instead of spending it alone in some sleazy hotel. Throwing his small bag in the back of his car, he silently prayed that his car would start. ‘Only seven more months’ he thought. Starting the car, Brian pulled out of the parking lot and made his way down toward Justin’s without a backward thought or glance to the buildings behind him. He couldn’t wait for this weekend to happen. Four whole days alone with Justin. Brian wondered briefly if they would take the next step in their relationship, or if Justin even felt that way about him. The last thing he wanted to do was to alienate Justin, or push the other man away. Justin was the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he didn’t want to destroy the friendship that they had started. Granted, not taking things further would be hell on Brian, but he knew that he would if that was Justin’s wish. During the 35 minute drive, Brian tried to calm his nerves and think of anything other than spending the night with Justin close by. He was trying to convince himself that he could actually get some sleep with Justin in the room down the hall. Brian only hoped he could hold out. Time came too quickly for Brian when he realized that he was sitting in front of Justin’s house. Taking a deep breath, Brian stepped out of the car, grabbed his bag and used his key to get into the house. “Justin.” He called out not knowing if the other man was there or not. “In the kitchen.” Justin called out to Brian from deep within the house. Brian made his way back toward the kitchen, and set his bag down on the table. He walked behind Justin and leaned his body into the other man’s, placing a kiss on the side of Justin’s head. “Smells good.” “Me or the food?” Justin asked turning round in Brian’s arms so he could wrap his own around the other man’s waist. Brian buried his face in Justin’s neck and sniffed. “Hmm. Both.” He answered against Justin’s flesh before placing his lips against the delicate flesh. All thoughts of how this was NOT what he wanted to do flew out of the window the moment he walked through the door. Brian knew that they would have to talk about this, or else they would both suffer. “Down boy…” Justin reluctantly stated, however his body was saying something different. Justin could feel Brian’s lips on his neck pulling his flesh into Brian’s warm mouth. “Oh God.” Justin breathed. Brian pulled back and saw the lust in Justin’s eyes, knowing that his own reflected the same. Lowering his head so their foreheads touched, Brian closed his eyes and tried to calm his raging hard-on down. “Food… cooking.” Calming himself enough to pull away from the blond, Brian moved to the other side of the kitchen counter. “So um, where can I put my stuff?” He asked not trusting himself to get any closer to Justin for fear that he would do something that they would both regret. Making a show of turning off the oven Justin faced Brian. “I don’t want you to run off or anything, but I want you to know right now, upfront, that I wanted you to spend this weekend with me, in my room, in my bed, in me. That is when you aren’t studying.” “Is that an order pretty boy?” Brian looked at Justin with a gleam in his eye. His cock was already at attention. “It could be.” Justin took a step closer to Brian. “I heard Navy boys really know how to fuck.” “I heard pretty blond boys give good head” Brian came around the counter. “We like the protein, what can I say.” “Us Navy boys like the exercise.” Brian had reached Justin. He picked him up and threw him over his shoulder. Justin began to laugh even though he was upside down. “Us Navy boys also know never to turn down an offer from a pretty blond boy.” “There had better only be one blond boy for you.” Justin said with a laugh. “I don’t share my toys.” Brian dumped Justin on the bed and fell on top of him, making sure that he was braced at the last minute so the smaller man didn’t collapse under his weight. “So pretty blonde boy, does this mean we’re bunking in together?” “If you don’t mind, think of the laundry it’ll save and if we shower together we’ll be doing the environment a favor.” “That’s what I like about you civilians, always thinking of the environment.” Brian leaned down and began to kiss Justin. Justin gave himself up to the kiss, shutting his eyes and breathing in the scent of Brian fresh from his shower. He loved the heady smell of fresh soap and the underlying smell of Brian. It was an aphrodisiac that could be bottled and sold for millions. “Clothes off” he managed to get out of his mouth before he felt himself being devoured. Neither one wanted to part and they struggled to remove their clothing, a tangle of limbs and cloth. “Don’t stop” Justin whispered once when necessity meant they move apart. “Never” Brian almost shouted as he ripped his leg out of his pants. And then they did, they stopped and lay panting on the bed beside each other, Brian suddenly shy and almost afraid though he didn’t know why. It wasn’t as if they were strangers. Justin rose up on one elbow so that he was looking down at Brian. “You know you are the most beautiful man I’ve ever known. Not just on the outside, but inside too.” Justin kissed first his eyes and then slowly made his way to Brian’s mouth, not passionate kisses just kisses of love. “I feel so lucky to be with you, to share my home with you” he punctuated each word with a kiss his hands traced the other man’s face and then down his body to the cock that was rock hard and leaking. Brian kept silent not knowing what to say but being smart enough to know that what they were doing couldn’t come close to fucking. This was making love and he’d never done it before. Brian’s whole body tingled as if he had bits of electrical current dancing on his skin everywhere Justin touched. And when Justin’s mouth found the head of his cock, the shock took his breath away and he melted completely under the ministrations of the warm mouth that worshiped his rod, sucking and gently biting and licking until Brian thought he’d scream, maybe he was screaming inside, for the room was filled with a high pitched keening and who knew which one of them was making the sound or if it was both. Justin moved lower leaving the straining cock alone as he raised Brian’s hips and began to move over each testicle, taking them into his mouth and sucking, his hands cupping the heavy sack. His tongue reached Brian’s hole and as it probed and licked, Brian wrapped his fingers through Justin’s hair not wanting him to continue but not wanting him to stop either. He had no words, no voice to protest or beg for more; the feelings were like nothing he’d felt. And when he thought he couldn’t handle any more, he heard the snick of a tube of lube opening, the tear of a condom wrapper and then his cock was encased in latex and slicked down with lube, Justin’s fingers sure and steady. Justin lifted himself up until he was poised above Brian’s cock. Slowly he lowered himself, pausing to adjust to the hardness and girth. Blue eyes locked with hazel ones shouting to each other how they felt without forming the words. Words were forever and neither one was ready for forever and yet inside they both knew that this was forever. This was their forever no matter what happened to either of them, they would always have this first time. No one and nothing could ever take it away from them and that’s why they couldn’t break the look. They needed the connection. They needed to read each other’s innermost feelings as slowly inch by inch Justin’s tight hole, warm and dark enveloped Brian’s cock and they were connected. The age old rhythm began, Justin being more agile than Brian realized, bent down and licked the end of Brian’s dick with every down stroke sending the other man into spasms of ecstasy. Until with a firestorm of lights behind their eyes they both came in an endless orgasm that took both of their breath away and left them spent. As Justin collapsed down on Brian, the other man rolled over so he would remain inside as long as he could. Justin held on tight. If ever two men were meant to be together then they were, but neither would say the words. It was too early in their relationship but they both were thinking the same thing. This was it. This was forever. ~~~***~~~***~~~*** Justin woke suddenly feeling the emptiness in his arms. He cracked open his eyes enough to see Brian pulling on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. “Wha?” Seeing his lover awake, Brian silently cursed. It wasn’t his intention of waking the blond. He moved over to the side of the bed and ran his hand across Justin’s cheek, leaning in to place a light kiss on his lips. “Nothing, go back to sleep. I’m just going to go out for a run. I’ll be back before you know it.” Brian stated not wanting to keep Justin up. Slowly Justin turned his head to glance at the clock beside the bed, and groaned. “Brian, it’s 5 in the morning. Come back to bed.” He moaned as he tried to pull his lover back into bed with him. Brian quietly laughed and pulled away to finish getting ready. “Go back to sleep. I’m up long before now every day. I guess it’s hard to get back into a normal routine. I’ll be back soon.” With that Brian left before Justin could convince him to climb back into the bed. Stepping out into the cool November air, Brian thought about the turn in their relationship. He could call it that now. He was really in a relationship. Brian had never thought he would ever be here, but now that he was, he wondered why he waited so long. “Cause none of them would have been Justin, you dork.” Brian told himself as he began his five-mile run. He wasn’t sure where they were headed, or if this relationship could even work out, but Brian was willing to try anything to keep Justin in his life. What he felt last night was something he knew he could not live without. Brian had felt like he had finally found his home, his safe-haven. With Justin, Brian wanted to please him more than get pleasure himself. He wanted everything to be perfect for the other man. Brian was even willing to give up his tightly held control to Justin. Not that he would tell Justin that… not yet anyway. No he had to keep some things for later. Brian only hoped that they would have a long time to get to know one another and find out all the things about each other. Justin lay in the bed that still had pockets of warmth from Brian’s body. He rolled over and grabbed the other pillow inhaling deeply. Fuck, he loved the smell of Brian. He’d have to remember to buy Brian another sweatshirt so that he could keep his sweaty one with him. Something to remind him of ‘his man’. ‘His man’ he almost giggled like a school girl at the thought. Justin pulled the pillow tighter and shut his eyes. He could almost see Brian running in the cold dawn. He’d have to get up soon and watch for him. He wanted the exact picture in his mind to maybe paint at a later date. Maybe he’d find his camera and lay in wait for him by the hedge. ~~~***~~~***~~~*** Brian sat down at his desk with books piled in front of him, making notes. He had a huge test coming up in Wars and Confrontations, and in Military Etiquette, so Brian was spending all of his free time at Justin’s studying. Not that he couldn’t think of other things that he would rather being doing there at his lover’s house, but he knew that if he didn’t pass these tests he could lose his billet. He felt Justin’s hands on his shoulders, gently massaging the tense muscles. Brian closed his eyes and leaned back into the touch. “You’re as stiff as a board.” Justin stated working his magic on a tight knot at the back of Brian’s neck. “If you keep that up, I’ll have more than a stiff neck to worry about.” Brian joked. Every time he felt the blond’s hands on his body, Brian felt his body temperature rise – among other parts of his body. Brian briefly wondered if he would ever get enough of Justin… if there would ever be a time when just being around the other man wouldn’t send his whole body into a tailspin. “You know, I’m not getting much studying done this way.” “Maybe it’s time for a break.” Justin whispered in Brian’s ear, lightly running his tongue across the delicate flesh. Justin had been meaning to ask Brian what the man was doing for the holidays so he would know when to give Brian his gift, but he wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. “Okay spill.” Brian sated as he turned around in the chair to look at Justin. Holding the other man’s hands in his own, putting an end to the massage. “You’ve been wanting to ask something, so ask.” Justin looked at Brian in shock. He couldn’t believe that the man even realized that he had been hiding anything, or wanting to ask something as the case may be. It still amazed him how well they knew each other after such a short amount of time. “What makes you think that I’ve been wanting to ask you something?” “Please, you’ve been tiptoeing around like you’re hiding something.” Brian stated shaking his head. “Plus you will open your mouth as if you want to say something, then close it all the sudden. Trust me… you’re not a very good liar.” “Fuck you,” Justin laughed. “Okay, Mr. Navy Boy, you’re right. This once,” he added quietly. “I was just wondering what you were doing for Christmas. When were you going to head out?” “Let’s see, I was going to check into the hotel on the 21st then check out two weeks later.” Brian informed Justin as he turned around in his chair to get back to his studies. He didn’t want Justin to think any less of him, to feel sorry for him, so he kept his explanation to a minimum. “Aren’t you going to stay with your folks, or maybe friends?” Justin asked as he moved to sit on the table next to Brian. “You are going home, right?” Brian let out a sigh, knowing he was going to have to explain things to Justin, and he hated every minute of it. “No… if I never step foot in Pittsburgh again, it will be too soon. I will be spending the holidays the same I have for the past couple of years… alone in a hotel, just me and my books.” “But…” “Justin, I’m fine. I’ve never had a Christmas, so I don’t even know what I am missing. I’m happy. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Now if you don’t mind…” Brian left the statement hanging as he pointed to his books. He didn’t want Justin to feel sorry for him, and he wasn’t going to let the blond try and talk him out of his normal plans. He had told Justin the truth. He didn’t know what Christmas was, so it wasn’t like he would miss anything. And anyone that he would spend it with wouldn’t even realize he was there except to use as a punching bag. No, Brian was much happier spending his time in a hotel over the holidays. Much happier. “I know that this is short notice.” Justin began. He looked away. This was kind of a big step for him and for Brian too. “I have a place, it’s just a little place, nothing fancy, but it’s in Baja. It was my parents and was part of their estate. I never sold it ‘cause there’s a lot of good memories there. I know there isn’t snow and stuff, but I’d really like you to go there with me for Christmas if you aren’t going anywhere else.” There he’d said it and the world hadn’t collapsed. The sun was still shining and Brian hadn’t disappeared in a puff of smoke. Brian couldn’t believe what Justin had asked him. He wanted to spend Christmas together. “Snow is nice, but it is cold” he began. “And highly over rated by the Christmas card industry.” He held out his arms. Justin all but flew into them. “I told you Justin, Christmas has never been a big deal for me and I would have to study. I know I get two weeks, but I still need to spend time with the books.” “You could bring your books and your laptop and I promise to let you study.” “Hmmm, I’ve heard that before.” Brian let his thumb trace down the side of Justin’s face, lingering every now and then as if memorizing it. “How would we get there?” “Coincidently I have two tickets on a Liberty Air flight leaving on the twenty first.” “You were pretty sure of yourself.” “I was hoping my winning ways with my excellent award winning blow jobs would persuade you.” “You’ve won awards?” “No, but I bet I could.” “Modesty isn’t your strong suit is it Sunshine?” “Nor is it yours Navy Boy.” Brian lifted Justin up in his arms and headed for the bedroom. ~~~***~~~***~~~*** Christmas Day Justin was sitting on the floor, his back to the bed they were sharing. It was Christmas morning and like all Christmas mornings for Justin for as long as he could remember, it somehow felt magical. Maybe it was the man stirring in the bed behind him, maybe it was the fact that this was his first Christmas where he was in love. Not that he would ever tell Brian, he didn’t want to scare the man off. No it would be his secret, another secret. Fuck he hated keeping secrets from the man he loved yet he’d do anything on this earth to keep Brian happy. Justin fingered the box in his hand. He wondered if maybe it was over the top considering that they had only known each other a few months. He put the box down twice and picked it up each time wondering if he had the nerve to give to Brian. It was a platinum and gold version of the Naval Academy ring. He had seen the order form in some of Brian’s papers. Brian had the silver version circled. The cheapest one, it had been easy to hide the order form. Brian had never said a word about the missing piece of paper and Justin hadn’t either. “Hey pretty boy” Brian leaned over and gave Justin a kiss. They snickered at the upside down awkwardness. “Did Santa manage to find us here in Mexico?” he was teasing. Justin was such a child about this time of year. Brian found it strangely endearing even if he couldn’t quite understand it himself. “As a matter of fact, he did.” Justin thrust the small box up at Brian before he lost his nerve. “Justin, you didn’t have to get me anything. You paid for the plane tickets and everything.” “I’m writing it all down what I spend on you. I figure with interest you’ll be supporting me for a long time when you’re an Admiral.” Justin joked. “Admiral Kinney” Brian snorted. “Like that’s going to happen pretty boy. If I were you I’d be looking for a better investment.” “I have the best investment ever, now open up your Christmas present.” “I don’t want to.” “Why not?” “It’s too pretty.” “Presentation is everything.” Justin smirked and Brian swatted him gently on the head. He pulled off the silver ribbon careful to not destroy the bow and then peeled the silver paper slowly off the small box. It was a ring box, he knew it was a ring box, but what did it mean? Brian’s hands shook as he opened it up. He was speechless completely speechless as he stared at the ring inside. “How did you know?” he managed to gasp. “What that you like to unwrap presents? That you are partial to silver paper? That your hand felt naked without an Academy ring?” Justin smiled up at Brian. “I guess I’m just psychic.” Brian put the ring on and admired his hand. He knew it was the platinum and gold one. “Thank you Justin, I love it.” He couldn’t stop smiling as he climbed out of bed to join the other man on the floor. Brian sat down on the floor next to Justin. Looking down at the floor, suddenly he was unsure if this was the right thing to do. He wanted to get something for Justin, but Brian was beginning to wonder if his gift would be too much. If it was too soon. “Bri?” Justin asked reaching out and lightly running his hand across Brian’s neck. Brian reached over to his bag beside the couch and pulled out a small box. “I wanted to get you something. I mean after everything you have done for me… I wanted to show you that… well that I’m glad that you’ve come into my life.” Handing the box over to Justin, Brian leaned back against the couch, putting some distance between the two men. “I never had a Christmas growing up, none that I remember. Jack was always drunk, and Joanie was always at the church. Since I entered the academy, I would go to a hotel and spend the whole time just sitting there thinking. Or studying. But I never had anything that even comes close to a real Christmas.” Turning slightly he faced Justin, and reached out to hold his lover’s hand. “I know that I can never repay you for everything you have given me, I just hope that I can make sure you don’t regret it. I want to try. I want to try and make us work. Maybe it’s too early, and maybe you don’t really feel the same way for me that I do about you… but…” Brian let out a nervous laugh and shook his head. Running his hand through his hair, he tried to get his nerve back. Taking a deep breath, Brian turned his attention back to Justin, looking into Justin’s eyes. “I … I think that… well I think I love you.” Brian held his breath waiting to see what Justin’s response would be. He only hoped that he wasn’t making the biggest mistake of his life, he hoped that he didn’t lose Justin because of his words. Justin’s only answer was to lean in and lightly kiss Brian. It wasn’t a heated, passion-filled kiss, this was a kiss of love. “I love you too, Brian.” “Thank God,” Brian breathed. “I wasn’t sure…” Brian leaned in again and kissed Justin with all the passion and love he could muster. He wanted the blond to know what he was feeling. Puling back, Brian rolled his lip into his mouth. “Well, open it.” Justin laughed as he removed the cover to the box. Inside sat a bracelet. He pulled it out of the box, and held it up to the light from the fire. The bracelet was platinum with gold Celtic symbols interwoven on the thick band. Justin felt tears begin to build behind his eyes as he looked up at his lover. “Bri.” He breathed. “It’s… it’s beautiful.” “Look inside.” Brian stated as he turned the bracelet over. Justin leaned in closer to see what his lover was talking about. In a delicate Celtic script, Justin could make out three words engraved deep into the band. ‘Forever my Avalon’ it stated. Justin was puzzled over what the meaning of the words meant. Brian reached over and held Justin’s hand, keeping his eyes on the bracelet. “When I was growing up, I used to stay in my room all the time reading. It was an easy way for me to escape, pretend. One of my favorite stories was anything dealing with King Arthur and the Knights of the roundtable.” Brian laughed, shaking his head. He stole a quick glance up at Justin and saw that the other man’s eyes were still on the writing. “There’s a tale of this place, Avalon. It’s said to be hard to get to, covered and hidden by mist. The only way to get there is a spell, or something like that. But it is said to be this magical place – beautiful, peaceful.” “The story goes that when King Arthur died he was sent there as his final resting place.” Justin added looking up at Brian. He felt like his heart was going to pound out of his chest. He wasn’t sure what this meant, but he hoped it was what he was thinking it meant. Brian shrugged slightly and ran his finger over the lettering. “I had nothing in my life, nothing or no one that I cared about enough to spend any time with. I wanted to get out of that house, get out on my own. Then at the academy all I cared about was doing the best I could. So I just threw myself into my studies, never leaving that damn dorm.” Brian said with a small smile. “Then I went to this restaurant and saw this blond who changed my life completely around.” “Funny, I was thinking the same thing. I had to run a shoot of some annoying Navy guy and I was thoroughly pissed at the thought. I was going to blow him off and then there he was all big hazel eyes, luscious lips and a body to die for. I didn’t stand a chance.” Justin who had been sitting on the floor beside Brian, their backs against the bed, turned so that his head was in Brian’s lap. He held out his arm for Brian to put the bracelet on. “I’ll never take it off Brian, for as long as I live, it will never come off.” Brian’s eyes filled with tears he tried to turn his head not wanting Justin to see how his words had affected him. Instead the blond noticing Brian’s emotion moved until he was sitting up facing the other man. He cupped his chin in his hand making Brian look at him. “Don’t you ever be afraid to show your emotions when you are with me.” Justin let his thumb brush away a stray tear that had escaped. “I feel like such a wuss. Some strong manly Navy man.” Brian tried to make light of his tears. “That’s what is going to make you one of the best Navy men. You have emotions and feelings and you can show them. Someday the men you command will hold you in respect just for that alone. I’m so proud of you Brian. I’m proud of what you have done to get this far in your life and I’m proud to be a part of your future for as long as you let me.” Brian ran his hand across the side of Justin’s face, lightly caressing. He leaned in and brushed his lips over Justin’s own. Every touch was light, barely touching, only giving the sense of presence. Brian wanted to show Justin what he meant to him, what he made Brian feel. Brian never before had anyone make him feel confident and strong. He could never show emotions in his house, he could never cry. Knowing that Justin wasn’t repulsed by it, made Brian’s heart race in his chest. Love pouring out of every pore. Slowly Brian lowered Justin to the ground and ran his hands in feather light touches across Justin’s chest, opening the silk robe to uncover more of Justin’s light skin. “I love you,” Brian breathed against Justin’s lips before he moved down Justin’s chest to worship the body before him. He felt like he was one of the druids in ancient times, and Justin was his altar. Sacred and beautiful. Brian had all intention of properly paying homage to his gift. The gift of life and love that Justin so freely gave to him. Brian still wasn’t sure if he deserved Justin’s love, but he also knew that he wouldn’t have it any other way. Now that he had tasted the sweet waters of Avalon he could never return. He was home. Brian’s hands undid the belt, opening Justin fully to his view. “Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?” Brian asked. “Cause you are.” Without waiting for an answer, Brian continued to show Justin just how beautiful he was. Placing light kisses on the inside of Justin’s thighs, Brian glided his hands across Justin’s chest. He ran his hands over Justin’s sensitive nipples, bringing them to attention, while his mouth continued to graze across Justin’s legs and around his cock, making sure to not touch the prize yet. He wanted Justin to enjoy this, to feel loved. He wanted to give Justin everything that he had been given by the blond. “Brian, please.” Justin moaned, running his hands through Brian’s cropped hair, enjoying the silkiness of the amber locks. “Please.” Brian decided to take pity on Justin as he took Justin’s member fully into his mouth, letting Justin’s slit touch the back of his throat. He held it there, not moving only letting the heat from his mouth warm Justin, as his throat muscles worked on the sensitive flesh at the tip. Moving one of his hands away from Justin’s nipples, Brian let it lightly run across the inside of Justin’s leg. He made sure to never completely touch Justin, only light run his hand across the feather light hair. He could feel Justin’s hands gripping painfully at his hair, trying to get Brian to do more, and Brian tried not to laugh. Brian let Justin’s cock slip out of his mouth a little so that he could run his tongue across Justin’s piss hole, while his hand moved to cup his balls. Brian could tell that Justin wouldn’t be able to last if he kept this up, so he moved his hand to lightly brush against Justin’s awaiting hole. The last thing he wanted was to make Justin suffer… even if this was a good type of suffering. He wanted to taste Justin’s essence, wanted to feel Justin come in his mouth. Wanted everything that Justin had to offer, and he wanted it now. Brian’s own need was escalating with every moan, every breath the blond took. Brian slipped one finger into his mouth beside Justin’s cock and made sure that it was wet. Of course, running his finger across Justin’s slit with both his tongue then finger brought a long, drawn out moan from deep within his lover. Slowly, Brian withdrew his finger from his mouth, and slid it into Justin’s hole. He could feel the heat and tightness surrounding him, and all Brian could think of was how it felt against his own cock. How right Justin felt surrounding him. Justin nearly ripped a handful of hair out of Brian’s head when Brian’s finger found the tight bundle within him. He could feel Brian run his finger lightly across it, bringing Justin closer and closer to the edge. He knew he wouldn’t last long, so Justin held on for the remainder of the ride. Brian quickly added another finger to join the first, as he moved his mouth up and down on Justin’s thick, beautiful cock. He couldn’t get enough of this man… the taste, the smell. Everything about Justin brought Brian to new heights… a whole other plane of existence. He felt Justin tighten around his fingers then the creamy essence begin to fill his mouth. Brian held on, trying to get all of Justin in, drink up everything the man offered him. The last thing he wanted was to ever let go. ~~~***~~~***~~~*** Once again Brian was out running early in the morning. As Justin lay there it suddenly came to him that this wasn’t going to be the first. If he stayed with Brian waiting would become a way of life for him. If they did stay together, there would be many times he’d be alone waiting for the other man to return. He knew what he had to do. He had to make sure that Brian had something to remind him that someone who loved him was waiting for him. Justin sat up, galvanized. Today he’d order an identical bracelet for Brian. He looked down at his arm. His fingers traced the words Forever My Avalon, Brian was his Avalon too. Justin jumped out of bed and pulled on a pair of shorts. It was early and the sun was only now appearing over the horizon. He headed to the beach hoping he’d see Brian running. He loved to watch him, he loved to see the sweat puddling in his rippled muscles. But most of all he just loved to look at him. He’d never get enough of looking at Brian ever. The beach was deserted, but far away was the steadily moving body of his lover. As Brian got closer Justin salivated, he wanted the other man so badly. Playing the fool Justin held out his arms and began to run in mock slow motion like a badly done commercial. Brian grinning like a fool held out his arms too and shouted at the top of his voice “I LOVE YOU JUSTIN TAYLOR” the last word ending as the they crushed together in a sweaty and laughing hug. Brian picked Justin up and raced into the waves with him where he proceeded to kiss him until they were both desperate for air. “I love you, I love you, I love you” they both chanted – a mantra for the madness they felt, the perfectness of their time spent together. Justin fished a condom out of his pocket and managed to get the foil package open and the latex over Brian’s stiff and wet cock. Rolling together in the waves they both roared their pleasure as they fucked wildly, not caring that the water eventually tossed them onto the sandy shore where they lay panting and sated. On the last day of their stay Brian headed out for his run. Justin had been acting strangely but Brian put it down to the fact that they were soon leaving. Brian ran an easy pace down the beach, his feet being caressed by the warm ocean water. This was paradise if he had ever seen one, and although he knew that their time there was short, Brian still prayed that they could bottle this up and keep it with them. He wanted to enjoy every minute of every day that they had together in this beautiful place. A place where they had basically made a small commitment to each other. Brian tried not to think too much into it, into the reasoning’s and rationales behind it, but he knew that the giving of the bracelet and the meaning behind the words engraved there, that he was now committed to Justin for as long as the blond would have him. He didn’t want to think of what Justin thought about, or what he thought it all meant. He was half afraid that Justin would only look at the bracelet as what it was… a gift, and not look farther into the meaning behind it. No, he couldn’t think about that. He had to be grateful of the gift that Justin had given him. He knew that Justin loved him. If it was the type of love that Brian felt for Justin, he wasn’t sure. All Brian knew was that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Justin, he couldn’t think about that other now. ‘One day at a time, Kinney. One day at a time.’ He told himself as he continued his trek. Tomorrow they would be on a plane heading back to Maryland. Brian would only have two more days before he had to report back from Leave, and he was already dreading these last couple of months. He tried to remind himself that it was almost over, then he would only have another 38 weeks of training before he was assigned to a unit. Then of course he was on ‘probation’ so to speak and OJT for another 6-12 months. Luckily, by the time he got to his unit he would be free to live wherever he wanted. He hoped that it would be with Justin, but he wasn’t sure he could ask the blond for that quite yet. Brian knew he loved Justin, more than he had ever loved anyone in his life. He had never felt this connection, this ‘tingle’ with anyone before. Brian just wished he knew how he could keep it. He wondered what he could possibly give Justin that would make the other man stick around for the long haul. Brian didn’t want to force Justin to stay with him, but he wasn’t sure if he could survive if Justin were to talk away and never return. That was something Brian was most afraid of. That his future, that his choice of careers would eventually push the other man away. That’s why he had been so scared to start anything with anyone. That’s why he was so willing to spend his time alone. Hell, he even spent his summer vacations training at the special SEAL training school in California each year. But now, he had something to look forward to, someone to share his life with. He wanted it to always be there. Brian spotted Justin standing at the end of the stairs leading up to the house. Just seeing the man brought a smile to Brian’s face, and a warmth to his soul. He couldn’t even begin to describe what Justin did to him. Breaking out into a fast run, Brian stopped right in front of Justin and leaned in for a kiss. “I stink.” He said as he grabbed the offered bottle of water and towel. “I happen to like you all sweaty.” Justin answered with a smile, pulling Brian in for a longer kiss, slipping his tongue into the other man’s mouth. “I could help you get all clean.” Brian laughed and shook his head as he ran the towel over Justin’s face. “You just want to get me all sweaty again afterwards. So what’s the point?” ‘Not that I would mind of course.’ Brian thought with a smirk. “True. Come on, dinner’s ready.” Justin led the way up the stairs with Brian closely behind back up to the house. Brian stayed back far enough to keep one of his favorite sites in view. He loved Justin’s ass, especially when Justin was wearing those tight fitting shorts of his. Justin laughed as he heard a groan coming from his lover, knowing that any thoughts of getting clean were now thrown out the window. His plan had worked. Justin had stood there on the deck overlooking the ocean watching a topless Brian run up and down the beach. Watching the sweat pour off of the man, and the way the sun glistened off of the wet, tanned flesh, had sent a signal directly toward Justin’s cock. He’s been hard for an hour now, and he planned on making the most of it. When the two reached the kitchen, Brian sat down in one of the chairs taking a long drink from his bottle. He spotted a small box sitting in the middle of the table, and turned toward Justin who was busy getting the food out of the oven. “What’s this?” Brian asked with a raised eyebrow. Justin glanced up from the oven, and realized that he had forgotten about the box. Quickly making his way toward the table, Justin picked up the box and placed it in his pocket. “Nothing. Hungry?” “Justin.” Brian warned. Justin let out a breath and turned to his lover. “Fine… this is for you.” Brian shook his head as the box was placed back on the table in front of him. “Justin.” Brian began. “You’ve done enough. You don’t have to get me anything. Just being here with you is enough. Haven’t I already explained that? I don’t want anything else.” Justin kneeled in front of Brian and grabbed a hold of his hands. “Brian, please. It makes me happy to see you happy. I want to give you things. I want to share things with you.” “I am happy.” Brian tried to tell the blond. “I don’t need anything.” “But I want to give it to you.” Deciding that an argument was not what he wanted at that moment, Justin decided to try another tactic that he had learned always worked with Brian. “It makes me happy to give you things. It will make me happy if you just accepted it. Please.” Brian looked into his lover’s eyes, and realized that he had lost this round. He couldn’t deny Justin this. Justin wanted Brian to have whatever was in that box, and he knew enough that if he didn’t take it, it would cause Justin pain. That was something that Brian wanted to avoid at all costs. ‘He knows how to play me so well.’ Brian realized. The scary thought was, Brian didn’t really care. He was glad that Justin knew him, that Justin could make him do things that he normally wouldn’t do. Of course there was a limit, but Brian knew that he would do anything for the man kneeling before him. “Okay,” he said picking the box up, and unwrapping it. Justin leaned in and kissed Brian lightly on the lips. “Thank-you.” He whispered. Justin wanted Brian to have everything, he only had to get past Brian’s walls to get the man to accept it. Justin knew he couldn’t make up for Brian’s past - a past that all he knew about wasn’t fun – but he wanted to make the future for Brian one to come home to every night. He watched as Brian placed the wrapping on the table and slowly open the box. He saw the confusion written all over his lover’s face, and the sudden crushed look in his eyes. Suddenly it hit Justin what was worrying his lover, so he reached out and pulled the bracelet identical to his own out of the box. He let Brian get a clear view of the one on his own wrist. “Forever my Avalon.” Justin stated as he placed the thick chain on Brian’s wrist. “Forever.” He whispered against Brian’s wrist as he locked it tightly. Brian reached over, placed his hand under Justin’s chin pulling it up and looked into Justin’s eyes. Seeing the love shining through the blue orbs, Brian pulled Justin’s face closer. “Forever,” he answered as he kissed Justin with all the love he had in him. ~~~***~~~***~ Part 2 ended