Potential

[DonQuixote]

Michael,
Authors DO love chaos and mayhem, "coronary" confustication and anginal angst, don't they?!

Who is going to fine our downtrodden Aussie and capture him before he hops a flight back down under, without having had a chance to find out it's all right?

[Lefty]

Donnie,

You need your slumber time.

Otherwise grumpy in the morning.

Nighty night.

[DonQuixote]

I'm headed that way - late night snack, since dinner was a late lunch, sort of. I had some soup at lunch time.

[Craiger]

Hey Michael,

I have to agree with Don but also add "cliffhangers" to the list.....you are a master at that. I will not let you give me apoplexy, so, I will calmly wait for the next segment.
Welcome back my friend.

Craiger

[michaelnm2000]

lol guys it's all fun
but thanks ok i love writing for you

[michaelnm2000]

“But … we didn’t do anything” pleaded Alex.
“No … but he must think we did … how else could you explain it?” answered Paul.
“He’s got it so wrong!”
“I know …”
“He didn’t even give me a chance to explain!”
“He’s hurting Alex.”
“It’s ridiculous, he doesn’t need to be hurting.”
“I know that too …”
“and … what’s this bit about wishing us all the best! I don’t like that at all.”
“I agree it sounds so final. Let me read it again.”
Alex handed Paul the note.
“What do we do now” asked Alex.
“I really don’t know Alex. He’s not at the motel address on the paper … he’s gone I think.”
“But where?”
“I doubt he wants us to find him.”
“No, no, no, this is all so stupid and so wrong” uttered Alex shaking his head.

Later that evening, alone in his room, Alex sat on the side of his bed and took the note out to read it again. His body fell back onto the bed as he clutched the note on his chest and stared at the ceiling.
As the weeks passed and turned into months, it became apparent Jason had disappeared. His cell phone was obviously turned off. His land line back in Australia was now a number that was not connected – according to the telephone company recorded message service. Emails sent to his address came back as delivery errors. Likewise his facebook had been deleted. Letters addressed to him in Australia came back unopened. Jason had isolated himself.
The new semester started, the Rattlers reformed with early season training well advanced and Alex had no choice but to move forward. Paul still came around once a week but was now in a relationship with a budding sports journalist and had moved in with him. Jerome was finishing the year then hoping to be drafted into the pro ranks.
It was Paul who came up with the first piece on news. He came around on a Saturday about six weeks into the semester and walked over to Alex’s computer then clicked on a link to an Australian News website. “You need to see this” he told Alex.
It was an article from a Sydney newspaper, picture included of a near photo finish to the first Ironman race of the season. Alex devoured every word.
“There’s more” added Paul as he located video footage on You Tube. A further link provided a post race interview albeit very brief.
Alex and Paul looked at each other. “There’s hope Alex, at least we know he’s ok.”
“I don’t know whether to be happy or pissed off with him” replied Alex.
“Maybe both is ok right now … don’t you think!”
“What should I do?”
“You mean what should we do!”
“Ok what should we do?”
“I’ve checked the Iron Man competition dates against the college calendar. We can be there for Bondi in December! That is if it’s what you want to do.”
Alex looked down at Paul hopefully. “What if he doesn’t want to see us or talk to us?”
“I’ve thought of that too … I’ve got a connection with a certain sports journalist … the last thing we need is to pressure him … but we have to try … right!”
Alex lifted Paul in his arms and hugged him tight. “Paul thanks … I so love you for this.”
“Right back at you Alex.”

The semester raced away as Alex and Paul followed the Ironman season from half the circumference of the world away. With the retirement of Caine the sport offered the newest batch of competitors a chance to step up and show what they could do. Jason had three wins and a second from four races to be leading the overall point score. One more win and he could not be overtaken as the season champion despite three more races to go. Alex and Paul laughed at clips of TV advertising showing Jason with a range of products. An even better one was of a press conference interview – it had become clear amongst journalists that Jason would answer every question thrown at him except ones relating to private matters. On this occasion Jason had answered just two simple questions before a novice reporter for a teenage girls magazine shouted from the back of the room asking if he had a girlfriend. All the other journalists groaned as Jason simply stood and graciously thanked them for coming but excused himself.
It was a new Jason but still the same Jason. He came across as extremely dedicated with a steely resolve to leave nothing to chance and to be totally focused on what he had to do. He gave nothing away about what he was thinking or what kind of person he was inside. He looked the same but Alex and Paul could tell that a lot of what could be seen was a front and that he hadn’t changed as much as he wanted people to believe.

[DonQuixote]

An unwrapping of the not-so-incognito Jason by our boys, and the inner angst/insecurity he still suffers from.

Looking forward to the blood boiling confrontation - should be hot!

[Craiger]

Whew! No cliffhanger, at least not one that really leaves us hanging......lol
Michael, I'm so glad to know the boys are going downunder during their December break and that they have at least some knowledge of Jason. Can't wait.

Craiger

[michaelnm2000]

Bondi in mid December was spectacular. It’s south east facing beach battered by a huge ocean swell, with writhing masses of white foamy waves seemingly incongruous from the crystal clear blue sky, warm sun and mild breeze. The swell so big the organizers of the Ironman seriously considered calling off the event for safety reasons. Only considered of course because the whole event was televised, had a multitude of spectators perched at every vantage point and the sponsors heavy investments carrying a great deal of weight. So they “seriously considered” and it would be reported that way but in truth it was never in doubt and the event would go ahead.
Alex and Paul were high up on the northern end of the beach on top of the headland where they had a full view of the beach. They watched the preparations as competitors skis and boards were placed into position ready for the start. Alex’s eyes scanned the beach searching for Jason whom he had not been able to locate so far. Mid way down the beach the crowd was packed like sardines herded against the ropes as people levered themselves into as good a position as they could get. Alex knew he was down there somewhere. Across the intermittent sounds from the public address system, and between the spruiking advertisements for refreshments on sale, he had gleaned the fact that this race was to be a sprint format in the order of ski, swim, run and board.
“Look to the left of the blue flag”.
“Which one?” asked Alex.
“The blue one … no further along … there” he pointed “walking towards the beach.”
“Where” asked Alex as he leaned closer to Paul’s outstretched arm to see where he was pointing.
“The guy in the white top, blue shorts” stated Paul “he’s looking at the water.”
“Ok, I see him.”
The figure turned walking north along the beach up to the craft sections, then back watching the surf the whole time.
“I’d say he’s already worked out his plan and is checking the surf conditions to make sure they haven’t changed” offered Paul.
“How can anyone have a plan for this huge surf?” queried Alex.
Paul grinned “chewed up and spat out is a plan.”
Even Alex laughed at that comment, “I wouldn’t even put my toe in that surf.”
“Chicken?”
“Yep and enjoying being one!”
The competitors lined up for the race and it was underway in a matter of minutes. Twenty of the best athletes in the country raced down the beach picked up their long surf skis and lifted their knees high through the white water on the beach. Most not all. A flurry of arms and paddles filled the air as they each strained against the wild surf trying to get through the break. The waves relentlessly drove them back, indiscriminately choosing first one, then another, tossing them off their skis and pushing them well back towards the beach. One competitor had tucked his surf ski under one arm and run along the beach north towards the headland.
“What’s he doing” asked Paul.
Fifty metres north of the pack Jason threw himself and his board into the surf at a part of the beach that seemed the wildest. He drove hard with his paddles, deep in the water, heading out from the beach directly into a rip, then chose his moment perfectly behind the back of a wave to veer thirty degrees right straight over a monstrous wave and through the break with relative ease. He was out and around the first turning buoy before any other competitor was through the initial break. Jason hit the beach running at least a hundred metres in front of the next competitor. Through the chute he went then straight down into the swim leg, followed by the run and then back again with the surf rescue board for which he headed north again. It was the easiest of victories in the most difficult of conditions, characterized by clever use of the surf conditions and a secure belief in his own abilities. As he crossed the finishing like he walked shaking hands then held the winning tape high above his head as the hungry cameras whirled and clicked greedily searching for the best picture of the day. The next competitor was a distant two minutes behind in what was labeled a sprint.
*************
At precisely 10:30 am the following day Jason walked across the Hotel foyer into the dining room. He wasn’t hungry, he had an interview with an American sports writer who was collecting material for a feature article.
He looked around the room finding a tall blond man seated near the far wall. The man stood up, said a polite hello, introduced himself as Brennan Roberts and offered his handshake before settling down to business.
Brennan was up front telling Jason exactly what he was doing, the sort of information he required and handed over a set of questions on paper for Jason to read. Moments later he began his interview sticking mostly to the planned questions but with a few added where more detail was required or where some points led onto new areas to explore. As far as interviews go Jason thought this was well researched and professional.
Forty minutes later Brennan switched off his recorder.
“That was a great interview Jason” offered Brennan.
“I’m not sure I answered everything well enough.”
“Sure you did, it was exactly what I needed.”
“I thought you were really well prepared and the questions sounded like they came from someone with an intimate knowledge of the sport.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment, I admit to spending a lot of time trawling the internet to get a feel for what you do.”
“I’m impressed.”
“Thanks again, somehow it doesn’t feel like work when I get to interview people like you. There’s a lot of satisfaction that comes from the research, the interviews then following that through to the final published product. It’s a privileged job. I’ll send you a published copy of the magazine after it goes to press so you can see how it looks.”
“Thanks it’s good to hear that and inspirational in its own way” added Jason.
Brennan looked at his watch. “I’ve only got 10 minutes. Do you mind if I tell you something before I go.”
“Sure”
“Well, it actually concerns two friends of mine.” Brennan continued. “You know them.”
Jason’s countenance gave nothing away.
“Hear me out Jason. The thing is they’re here.”
Jason had not moved a muscle nor flinched.
…. a pause followed.
Jason’s amber eyes searched Brennan’s face. That he was internalizing and trying to appear calm on the outside was an understatement.
“Here” uttered Jason feebly.
“Yes here … not staying at this hotel… but here right now … in the bar … here in this hotel … they are anxious to talk to you.”
“Here” Jason uttered again shaking his head. It couldn’t be.
“They were both at the race yesterday and wanted to come today … but didn’t know what to expect … my understanding is that after I leave I will tell them I have delivered this message then they will stay in the bar till noon in the hope you might choose to see them.”
Brennan stood quietly and left Jason alone with his thoughts.

The hands of the clock moved around and past 12:00.
“He’s not coming” Paul whispered.
“I’ll wait a bit longer” Alex whispered back. “You go … please Paul … I’d like to be alone for a while.”
“Ok … you’re sure …”
“I’m sure … I’ll be all right.”
Paul gently touched his arm full of concern for his dear friend and quietly walked out.

The long hand on the clock eased past the 6 to make the time 12:30. Alex rose from the bar stool he had occupied for 2 hours and crossed to the corner then went through the door into the male toilets. The second the toilet door closed Jason gingerly walked into the bar scanning the room without finding anyone. His body sagged almost imperceptively, his head drooped a litttle and his eyes were slightly downcast as he turned about and glided back across the foyer to the elevators. He waited for the elevator to reach the ground floor and its doors to open. He stepped inside, pushed the button for the 10th floor and stepped back to make room for an elderly couple. The doors closed.
Only to spring open again with a ching sound echoing off the elevator walls as the tall figure of Alex stepped purposefully inside.
Their eyes met in an instant. The brilliant blue of Alex’s eyes shone brightly and locked onto Jason’s equally spectacular amber eyes. No words were exchanged their eyes just fixed on each other separated by the older couple between them. Alex shuffled to the back corner to stand next to Jason and waited quietly for the lift to ascend.
Ching … The doors for the 10th floor opened wide and the older couple shuffled out followed by Jason then Alex. They all headed in the same direction down the hall before the older couple stopped and fumbled for their door swipe card and Jason continued along closely followed by Alex. The tension grew and grew with each additional step as their forced silence engulfed them. Still no words were exchanged as Jason swiped his card, opened the door and they both walked inside.
Inside the room they stood facing at each other. The silence was palpable but neither one seemed able to initiate any form of communication. Jason opened then closed his mouth … but no words came out … he mouthed two or three words but still no sound. His eyes told a different story … it was obvious he was in a losing battle over control of his emotions. He tried to look away but couldn’t. Alex did not want to push Jason into anything either. All Alex’s pent up frustrations and his determination to be firm didn’t seem to matter anymore.
Jason was first to concede – the vestige of what was left of his resistance crumbled and gave way completely. He finally got some words out. “It hurts Alex” he sobbed, “It won’t stop hurting … you shouldn’t have come … I can’t … I can’t … I know you have to …” he blubbered. “I’m sorry…”
Alex bounded across and wrapped his arms around Jason holding him close “Oh Jason, you adorable fool!” He lifted Jason’s face and smothered him with kisses as he held him tight.
Jason tried to push away “No … don’t … I won’t do that to Paul” he feebly argued.
“Oh Jason … my Jason … don’t you understand? … it’s you.”
“Don’t he sobbed … it hurts too much … no … please don’t.”
Alex held Jason’s face between his hands forcing him to look into his tearful eyes “Jason it’s you I love … listen to me … Jason I love you … I love you with all my heart …”
Tears were streaming down Jason’s face as his emotions continued to bubble over. His body wracked with spasms coming from deep inside as he sobbed uncontrollably.
Alex continued “Jason I’m not with Paul … do you hear me? … you misunderstood … it’s you I love.”
Jason raised his head and looked through eyes brimming with tears. “But …”
“Hush” interrupted Alex as he held Jason and the sobs subsided. “I am never going to let you go again. Do you hear me?”
Jason nodded.

[ronboy]

Damn.......I am sitting here with tears in my eyes!

Beautiful job Michael.....

[DonQuixote]

Move over, Ron. And pass the tissues.
I knew you'd get us back over to them, but wondered how, exactly you'd do it.

Thanks, Michael

[Craiger]

Oh my, we are all blubbering and for good reason... Michael, that was one of the most intense chapters. The emotions so overwhelming. It's extremely hard to type with a large lump in my throat and eyes that have a hard time focusing. Truly awesome. Thank you.

Craiger

[michaelnm2000]

I was really worried about the chapters you just read. So worried i almost did not post. I felt that I needed to write with an emotional release but at the same time wondered if it was "male" enough. If you follow my thinking i was worried that it would be too melodramatic and not the way MEN react.
What's so wrong with guys showing emotion?
I accept that some will like what I wrote and some will be alienated. I'm apprehensive is what i will say and hope my writing wasn't too over the top.
Forgive me ok!
cheers all and thanks

[sheep]

I was really worried about the chapters you just read. So worried i almost did not post. I felt that I needed to write with an emotional release but at the same time wondered if it was "male" enough. If you follow my thinking i was worried that it would be too melodramatic and not the way MEN react.
What's so wrong with guys showing emotion?
I accept that some will like what I wrote and some will be alienated. I'm apprehensive is what i will say and hope my writing wasn't too over the top.
Forgive me ok!
cheers all and thanks

Even guys from Oz are allowed to cry for mothers funerals or sporting events, but not in front of other blokes. lol I'm glad he still can after what he has been through in his young life. Your writing is five star mate.

ALL YOU OTHER GUYS NEED TO RATE THE STORY ACCORDINGLY. Let Michael know his work is appreciated.

[michaelnm2000]

That night Jason and Alex had their first real date as a couple. They shared a deceptively simple meal in a quality restaurant after which Alex kept close contact by holding Jason’s hand or walking beside with his arm draped across his shoulder. That night they slept in the same bed but Alex did nothing more than hold Jason close as though he was scared to let him go again. Looking back he now understood that he had been holding Jason at arms length away, using his relationship with Paul as an excuse, so that his commitment was not a choice to be made. It pained him now! How bad must it have felt for Jason? He had been prepared for a show down of words, but, instead experienced Jason’s anquish and extreme pain knowing them to be real. His words fell away when confronted by the face of Jason’s vulnerability. Yet at the same time confronted the fact that Jason’s torture demonstrated the depth of his love. This man had done nothing other than love him and still did. In a way Alex felt whole. It wasn’t relief, it was simply that he felt complete loving this man beside him. Alex drew comparisons and could see that whilst he had the love of his mother for half his life, Jason had been abandoned at birth and given away to an unloving dysfunctional future. Who had ever loved Jason? How did be become the man he was in the face of such a barrage of abuse? He felt Jason stir next to him and adjusted his position so that their faces were inches apart, their warm breaths mingling and his hand gently wrapped around Jason’s back. “I love you” he murmured to the sleeping man beside him then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The following morning Alex called Paul and arranged for them to breakfast together. To Jason’s surprise they were accompanied by the sports journalist Brennan. Added to his astonishment, it was evident that Paul was in a relationship with Brennan. It was agreed the four of them would accompany Jason up to Horse Shoe Bay for the remainder of their stay. By mid morning they were packed and in Jason’s car headed north.
Arriving in Piper’s Point around 2:30 pm the first stop was the shopping centre for supplies. A lot of people came up to congratulate Jason, the home town hero. By 4 pm Jason drove along Miner’s Road to his gate which opened automatically from a remote device Jason now kept in his car.
“Impressive” smiled Alex.
“Not bad, eh!”
Settling in took no time at all, with Alex and Jason in one bedroom whilst Paul and Brennan took another. Jason busied himself putting groceries away and then prepared the evening meal in his usual healthy style.
Jason and Alex retired to their room around 9:00. Jason made a point of moving his clothes around, in and out of drawers, so that Alex had space for his things. He slid the bottom draw of his bedside dresser open and Alex laughed at the array of speedos on show. So, Jason has a speedo collection! “Speedos!”
Jason grinned “No not just speedos!”
“They sure look like speedos to me!”
“Ok, … see this black pair … they’re Speedo Endurance … notice the 1” sides, the double thickness, the extra lining and the low cut front – great for swimming ... but this black pair are Calvins. Then these navy ones see the three stripes on the side, they’re Adidas. The red ones … they’re from the Bruno Banini … front lining and a 1.5 inch side ... the tricolour is from Boss … My fave is probably the two toned blue Aussiebum Portsea …but, I think you’d like the light green with black trim … they’re from Body Art … square in the leg and comfortable. I’d like a pair of Dave Evans white speedos next. ”
“You actually wear all these?”
“Sure … that is when the mood takes me, I don’t just look at them.”
“Mood?”
Jason stood there grinning. “Yes mood.”
“Does that mean what I think it does?”
“Probably.”
“So do you like to wear them when you … you know… when you …”
“If you mean jack off … then yes I do! So what! I swim in them too that’s what they’re for.”
“Hahahaha” Alex laughed “this is so kool. I love it.”
“You do?”
“Yeah sure it’s quite the secret.”
“It’s never been a secret you’ve seen some of them before.”
“Maybe but I didn’t take that much notice before and now I know something more about them it makes it more interesting. I was probably more intent on looking at what was in them.”
“Hahahaha well now you know” laughed Jason.
“Oh yes, and I can see us working through this collection!” Alex quipped as he grinned from ear to ear. “Only the collection needs to be bigger. How do I get a pair of the Dave Evans?”
“Hahahahaha. Who are they for?” asked Jason.
Alex just grinned, “you’re clever … work it out!”
“Out of my way I need the internet right now” laughed Jason.
“Who is Dave Evans anyway?”
“He’s an Aussie guy who was his own blog. I came across it a few years ago when I was unsure about my own sexuality and looked around the internet. I think it’s a .org now but still a blog. He is right into speedos and I gained a lot of my own identity reading his blog. It’s sexy, funny and devoted to speedos. He wants to develop his won brand speedos and I definitely want some. You in them would be like putting balls on the Christmas tree … hahahaha.”
“Have you got any that would fit me now?”
“Didn’t you bring the Alex Jackson pair I gave you?”
“No I didn’t think to bring them.”
“These are all my size … oh wait … there is one pair that I can’t wear” Jason added as he searched in the bottom of the draw. “Here they are” he cried triumphantly holding up a pair of deep blue, square leg trunk style swimwear. “The reason I can’t wear these is basically size, they’re bigger around the waist … that plus they have an elastic top band rather than a cord, which, on me makes then get loose so that when I swim they slide down my ass and almost off… you might have better luck.”
“So … are we … well … would you like to …. Um …”
“Hahahah if that’s a romantic invitation the answer is yes” laughed Jason.
“So do we? … asked Alex holding up the briefs expectantly.
“Hell yes! That would be so hot. I’ll go lock up while you get changed.”
Barely a minutes later Jason was back. His amber eyes seemed on fire as he took sight of Alex propped up by his elbows on the bed wearing nothing but deep blue speedos, that, were filled out with a huge bulge at the front.
“Wow” was all he could say.
Jason quickly removed his clothes revealing a pair of black speedo racers with the white cord undone and hanging down, they were loose at the front and so low they exposed his tan line along with a hint of deep brown pubic hair and the tiniest partial view of his cock. He crossed to the bed and ran his hands down across Alex’s abs before feeling the bulge ineffectively held in place by the speedos. His head bent down and lightly brushed lips sending shivers of anticipation down his spine.
Alex almost came the moment he saw Jason in speedos. His cock was swelling inside his briefs and when Jason touched him his cock threatened to explode and jumped at his touch. When Jason kissed him he crumbled onto the bed with Jason on top of him.
They kissed as their hands explored each others bodies. Jason’s cock was by now half out of his speedos pointing towards his navel while Alex had manually adjust having no chance of keeping his cock restrained. Alex gained the top position and swiveled around so they were facing opposite directions and gulped Jason’s cock into his mouth. Jason sucked Alex’s cock through the thin material then adjusted the lycra and sucked the exposed cock.
They stayed that way sucking each other until Alex could stand it no more and turned back face to face with Jason … “Please Jason” he whispered.
Jason heaved his hips forward pulling his speedos part way down his thighs then rolled over crouching in front so that Alex could put his cock over Jason’s hole from the rear and press it into his body. When Alex entered Jason he wanted to shout out aloud, Jason on the other hand almost shed a tear of happiness. They moved in rhythm each trying to heighten the pleasure of the other until Alex heaved forward plunging his cock forward as far as he could while his body shuddered as spasms shook his body and creamy spurts planted seed deep inside. He slowly withdrew his swollen cock and held Jason close, Jason’s own sticky cum now between them.
Jason reached for a towel to clean them both up then switched off the light as they settled down for the night feeling sublimely content.

Brenna had worked hard to complete his feature articles on Ironman and on Jason in particular. He had burned a CD containing both pictures and text and constructed directions for the lay out of the article so the graphic designers could complete the final product for printing. He had already submitted the whole package electronically over the internet but would also send a back up CD through the mail. Jason loaned him and Paul the car handing over his post box keys as well so they could collect his mail, post the article and do a little shopping or sightseeing. Alex politely declined the offer of joining them in town because … well, there more sets of speedos in Jason’s drawer!!!
Jason chose the Aussiebum Portsea speedos deliberately not tieing the cord so they hung very loosely at the front exposing glimpses of his hidden areas. Alex wore the same pair as the night before pushing his huge cock to the side pointing towards 3 o’clock. They strutted along the beach moving north often glancing at the other’s display and allowing their sexual desire to rise rapidly along with their erections. Jason laughed when his popped out displaying its length freely and swinging as he walked. His was quickly joined by Alex’s huge cock which already glistened with anticipatory pre cum.
Jason’s looked deeply into Alex’s clear blue eyes and allowed the sublime feeling of being completely in love dictate his moves. Their bodies drew close as their lips met and their hungry bodies sought satisfaction. Their eyes feasted on each other, their senses drove their need for each other, their bodies responded to every touch and sensation. Jason took off Alex’s shirt and in the shade of a tree looped it around a branch, he loosely tied Alex’s hands above his head and then removed his own shirt. They were both wearing their speedos with their cocks fully exposed. Jason kissed Alex’s lips then licked and nibbled his way down his neck then onto his chest while Alex sighed with delight. He continued down to Alex’s swollen cock first licking and tasting then sucking its whole length. Next he moved behind Alex lowering his speedos then parting his tight ass cheeks with his hands while his tongue flicked and darted around giving Alex sensations he had never felt before. His saliva lubricated Alex’s hole and Jason then pressed his cock forward while Alex pushed his ass backward opening himself to receive Jason’s cock. Jason pressed forward entering Alex using his hands to continue their exploration as he gently fucked Alex. He increased his rhythm enjoying every sensation through his whole body then just before reaching the point of no return he withdrew his cock, untied Alex’s hands and kissed him passionately. Alex drew Jason to him and they mutually wanked each others throbbing cocks till they exploded sending fountains of cum onto each others bodies. Alex pressed their bodies close mixing some of their cum together and daubed a little of their combined cum on both their lips then kissed Jason deeply sharing each others juice.
Hand in hand they walked down the beach their tumescent cocks still considerable in size and hanging out over the top of their speedos. They entered to cool water diving under a wave only to resurface and lock their lips in another embrace. Later lying on the beach Jason leaned over Alex looking into his stunning deep eyes with his hand resting lightly on Alex’s muscular chest.
“I feel like pinching myself to make sure this is real” he offered.
“I know” replied Alex “It’s like I’m finally who I am meant to be, you complete me Jason. I wish I knew that sooner.”
“I do?” queried Jason.
“I love you so much.”
“Oh Alex, I love you too, I’m the luckiest guy on the planet.”
“It feels so right.”
“Yes. It does.”
“My Jason.”
“My Alex.”
Paul and Brennan arrived back late afternoon just in time for a quick shower before a delicious meal of chicken in a mango curry sauce with white rice followed by tropical fruit cut up and served inside a half pineapple. It was totally delicious, healthy and looked such a treat.
After dinner Paul brought out Jason’s mail in an environmentally friendly shopping bag and allowed the contents to spill on the kitchen bench top. Envelopes spilled everywhere ending up with a total count of 206.
Jason’s eyes almost popped out of his head. “I’ve only been away ten days” he protested. “How am I going to get through this?”
“Why don’t we help” suggested Alex.
“Great idea … here take a pile.”
There were letters of every type! Most of them congratulations, some asking for signed pictures, some from business opportunists, some from companies interested in product endorsements, others from people asking for financial handouts and a few offering invitations for graphic sex.
“What do I do with them?” he asked.
“That depends” replied Brennan. “If you want to expand your fan base you could reply to some of these” he added holding up a handful of letters “or maybe you want to look at finances with these. These I would toss and these others are just plain filth. What do you want out of this?”
“I don’t want any of it.”
“You could appoint a manager” suggested Paul
“Alex? What do you think?”
“I think be yourself and don’t worry about anyone else.”
Jason nodded, “that’s it then … they all go out with the rubbish.”
“There are a lot of opportunities to make money here” said Brennan.
“But … I don’t like this at all!”
“Don’t do anything rash ok. Give yourself time then decide what you really want.”
“I already know the answer to that!”
*************
“I’m going with you” pleaded Jason later as he and Alex sat on the rocks at the northern end of the beach “I don’t want to be left behind again.”
“I have to say I’ve been at a crossroads too” admitted Alex. “I’ve been thinking about staying here. I want so much to be with you.”
“I don’t expect you to give up your course and the basketball, it’s easier for me to go with you.”
“I know you don’t expect that, but Brennan was right if you default on your contacts you could lose everything even Horse Shoe Bay. That would be terrible, I couldn’t allow that.”
“I’d willingly give it all away to be with you.”
“I know that too” sighed Alex.”
“So … are we stuck.”
“Not stuck, I don’t feel stuck. I don’t think that’s the right way of looking at it. I think we both have to accept some sort of transition. More or less to look at what we have and want then work out the best way forward … to … plan things.”
“I’m not letting you go Alex” replied Jason firmly.
“I’m not letting you go either.”
“I mean for keeps Alex I want us to be together.”
“It’s what I want too.” Alex placed his hand over Jason’s heart, looked into eyes ablaze like the sun and told Jason “this is where I want to be.”
Jason’s heart swelled with love “Maybe we should go listen to Brennan again.”

[sheep]

This was a really sweet chapter. They have finally connected. I'm looking foreword to more

[DonQuixote]

Michael,
I agree, it was sweet, with some of "real" life thrown in - reminding us that, even in paradise, the things of life sometimes get in the way.

[Craiger]

Ah, Michael, I feel complete now. Alex and Jason are finally together and I am happy for Paul as well. For a while I thought Paul may be a wedge between them, but fortunately he found his own. The interesting problem is who stays where. I look forward to finding that out soon.

Craiger

[michaelnm2000]

I'm with you on that Don and have always thought the dilemma of choices was worth exploring. As sheep and justnotperfect (who seems very prefect to me - hot and also sweet) imply i do like the romance. It's so kool to be able to express stuff like that through writing.
When I first started I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be still telling this story after all this time. I really think it's me that has grown moreso than the story. I know the encouragement made that happen! So please accept my thanks for each and every comment ever written on here and also for the private messages. I am really happy and grateful to you all.
16, 500 - Wow is it really?

[andrew thomas]

It is a good story. you deserve the attention. thanks for sharing please keep the story coming. lookforward to it. thanks

[Kyanimal]

Roughly 6hr. ago, just as I was getting ready to log off, I clicked on a link, in another thread, that lead me to this thread, which was started 4yr. ago., and I finally read the last post! I hope that gives you a slight inclination of what I think of this story!

Though I've been glued to my monitor, down here in my basement, on a beautiful summer day, I've also been transported around the world , in many ways!

Michael ... I can not adequately put into words just how much I've thoroughly enjoyed the roller coaster trip you have concocted! And, I'm eagerly looking forward to More!!

All I can say, right now, is THANK YOU!!!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

(I will deal with those, whom I've known all those years, but did not see their way to 'enlighten' me sooner! )

[DonQuixote]

Promises, Promises, Chaz.
And, remember, YOU've been on JUB 4 years more than I have.

Better late than Never, eh?

Glad I could be of service.
Kevin can thank me, later, lol.

[Kyanimal]

Promises, Promises, Chaz.
And, remember, YOU've been on JUB 4 years more than I have.

Better late than Never, eh?

Glad I could be of service.
Kevin can thank me, later, lol.

Oh, I assure you that Kev will definitely have reason to Thank You for FINALLY pointing me toward Michael's tremendous story! He's going to be the 'at hand' beneficiary of my 'updated' frame of mind!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

[michaelnm2000]

I logged on to post some more of my story Potential and came across these posts.
I truly believe that some things were meant to be! Somehow you were not meant to read or update my story till you did. Equally important is that your posts hit me like a bolt of lightning. It was perfect timing. I've had so much self doubt and internal wrangling, then, beautiful words of comfort, encouragement, and enthusiasm provided by your posts have worked like a transfusion.
It epitomises the fact that many people on here care a great deal and that is a very humbling experience.
It's taking a while to accept myself as I am! You have helped me out and I am grateful?
So, thank you so much for your encouragement and the care you expressed in your words. Today I am feeling great.

[michaelnm2000]

Paul and Brennan sat listening to Jason and Alex.
“What I think is you’re both prepared to give up everything for each other so you can be together. Either way you achieve your primary objective but one loses more than the other” continued Paul. What if … you both compromise a little?”
“I agree” added Brennan “Jason, defaulting on your contracts would be financially unsafe. Surely a few more years of Ironman is a good option for securing a future for both of you. As for you, Alex, getting yourself qualified and finding employment is equally important.”
“Wait a second!” interjected Paul. “I have an idea, let me think this through. Jason what’s the date the Ironman finishes.”
“It’s late February, the 24th and after that there’s a sponsor’s dinner and presentation on the 3rd of March.”
“… and after that you would have a break from training. Ok so you could get a flight on the 4th March. I know Alex leaves on January 6th so that’s just January, February and part of March, not even all of January you would be apart. So what’s that? 8 weeks at most?
“About that!”
“… and you Alex, when does your course finish? Is it late May?”
“Last exam is 28th May” answered Alex.
“… and your training Jason when does it start?”
“At the end of the season I give the body a rest for a month then start cardio work gradually increasing the load, then adding gym. I keep that going till the end of July and then add beach fitness and surf craft work.”
“Don’t you see? Jason finishes the season then comes over early March and stays with Alex. He has his break then commences training in the US. Meanwhile Alex finishes his course and applies for jobs here in Australia for his internship year. Then in July you both come back here to live wherever Alex gains his position. Once the internship is complete it’s time for you guys to decide what happens next. Jason will have a couple of years Ironman, hopefully make bucket loads of cash and you’ll be able to do whatever you want.”
Alex looked directly at Jason. “It makes sense and it’s only eight weeks, what are you thinking?”
“I know it makes sense, but … I don’t want to wait … I’m scared it won’t work out.”
“Can you give us a minute” … mumbled Alex as he ushered Jason outside.
Jason stepped into the comforting arms of Alex.
“I love you so much Alex … I can feel the knot in my stomach and don’t know what to do.”
“We can do this … it’s up to us to make it work.”
Jason nodded ascent.
“Come on” prodded Alex who held Jason’s hand and led him back inside.
Seated once more it was Brennan’s turn to move the conversation in a different direction.
“Jason I’ve picked out these business options for you to have second look. I think you should seriously look at making the most of this and take some of them on. Make them fit in with your plans and don’t over do anything.”
Jason sighed and reached out for the documents. “Ok” he meekly replied.

Most mornings Jason would be up early with three hours training already completed by 8:30 am. On the Sunday morning between Christmas day and New Years he had a rest day and consequently was in bed wide awake exploring Alex’s body with his finger tips. He adored tracing the lines of Alex’s muscles and right now Alex was on his back, his right arm high on the pillow as Jason curled the black hairs under Alex’s arm pits around his fingers. Alex stirred opening his deep blue eyes and smiled at Jason.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you” apologized Jason.
“Don’t be” replied Alex, “I was only snoozing and it felt so good. It’s a nice way to wake up.”
“Alex, I was thinking.”
“Hmm ok” replied Alex dreamily.
“Well, if we have to be apart then maybe I could have something of yours … something to hold onto and feel as though you’re with me when you’re not.”
Alex glanced down to Jason’s face “hmm … sure” he hummed, “you can have anything you like.”
“Well, I’ve been thinking …”
“Hahaha, thinking quite a bit it seems.”
“Well yeah … but anyway … I have an idea.”
“Ohhh…Kaaay … what is it?” drawled Alex.
“I’d like us to give each other something” continued Jason.
“Sure, that sounds good.”
“Something that’s truly yours, I’d like that blue singlet top you wear … it matches your eyes you know … I could wear it when I sleep.”
“But you wear nothing when you sleep!”
“It’d be like sleeping with you though and maybe having it smell like you would be nice.”
“Haha, that’s so funny but great at the same time.”
“What would you like of mine?”
“Hmm … something that reminds me of you the most … speedos maybe … I’m proud of you though … so maybe the Bondi Trophy you won … no, not that, maybe the trophy is a bit too big … what about the speedos you wore at Bondi? Can I have them?”
“Sure you can.”
“There’s more isn’t there” Alex grinned.
“Yep … well how would you? … well would you? … could we maybe? …”
“Just say it, it’s ok.”
“… well … I’d like to go to the jewelers and have some rings made … one for you and one for me!”
“That’s a fantastic idea” enthused Alex “I love it.”
“Do you really?”
“Hell yes! I really do!”
“Well … I was thinking …”
“Hahahaha” chuckled Alex shifting position to draw Jason closer.
“I already have an idea … I was thinking your ring could be rectangular or oval with a flat black surface and the letters A and J entwined in a colour to match my eyes, plus two small stones one for me one for you, one blue one yellow. My ring could be the same but the letters in blue to match the colour of your eyes. That way we could know the other is with us always and only have to look down to see into their eyes and know that they are with us.”
Alex propped himself above Jason’s face and stared directly into his eyes. “That is just … so you … and maybe the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me … yes, yes … yes … I would be so proud to wear your ring … my Jase” Then added “I love you so much” as the distance between their lips melted and they became one.

This time their parting was not like the last understated gut wrenching experience. Their goodbyes were said in a restaurant at Mascott Airport in Sydney and again when Alex, Paul and Brennan walked behind the departure barrier and down the hall into the customs area. As Alex turned for one last glimpse, instead of a pitiful Jason struggling with conflicting emotions, he saw a confident Jason smiling, standing tall and full of hope for a bright future.

January gave way to February. Jason won the penultimate race of the season setting a season’s best ever result. Alex continued his successes in both his studies and on the basketball court. The feature article written by Brennan was published. Paul was happier than he had ever been. And … both Alex and Jason wore their rings with pride. However, one event stood out as the most symbolic, the most complex, the most critical and the most telling of all. It happened by accident, but, once it did, there was never a chance to go back, and the outcome was decidedly different to that which neither Alex nor Jason could have expected.

[Kyanimal]

YES! Another excellent chapter , with the requisite cliff hanger! Which ultimately means there is More yet to come!

Michael ... I know there is a lot of You behind the words I'm reading. And, I also know you are experiencing some 'conflict' between Real Life and your (secret) Inner Self. However, should the overall sense of You, that I think I'm picking up through your multiple characters, the ways your describe them, and their motives and actions, I am quite Impressed with the Man behind this story!

There is also something else I can relate to. To make a very long, and complicated, story short, in late 1985, I bought this house with a friend of ours, Dennis (my own, not so secret, crush), and four of us moved in. Kev (my Partner) and I are still here. However, not all that many years later, our "Brother" Den met "The One", on a trip to Hawaii, and ended up moving to Melbourne.

Over the following years, and years, Den and his Hubby have been back here many times. This has always been their Home in the U.S. But, we have not, yet, been able to take advantage of our open invitation to Oz.

However, through his stories, and pictures, etc., etc., Den brought Oz to us. And, your story has been doing the same.

THANK YOU!! And, of course ... no matter what ...

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

[DonQuixote]

Michael,
It was a great installment. Conflict and angst and all that makes for good drama and story, but having things come together is a great feeling, too.

Now, on to the Happenstance? ? ? !

[Craiger]

Oh oh, Michael, is there something to worry about????? I hope not, particularly after such a reassuring chapter. I will wait patiently for the next installment.

Craiger

[michaelnm2000]

I'm impressed Ky. I think you're right, that's exactly what I write about. I have my own conflicts and write from the gut and that must be what comes through. Craiger, Don and others have sensed the same thing and have been really good to me over my time here. Sometimes I log on and the count of reader numbers has soared - and I think is this real - I wonder what I've touched in the silent ones, who are as much a part of this as anyone.
It will sound strange but I am comfortable here and like the people I have come across. I may be in a dark closet but i like the way people accept me.
As for cliff hangers - there are really only a small handfull of genuine cliff hangers. I like finishing at moments where the story can go in a few different directions, and to be honest I sometimes explore the options and stuff just gets deleted. Once I deleted a whole page becuase i didn't like what it was doing. The idea of making choices and the ramifications as such is something that I do like.

[DonQuixote]

Michael,
KYAnimal is Chaz - see his sign-off?

He likes talking about "Animal", but that's only a special "part" of him, lol. If you explored some of the other threads we "play" in, you could see a whole lot more of Chaz - he likes his brandy, and can be a very naughty boy when he enjoys it a tad too much!

I'd say that was telling tales, but it's all here in print.

[Kyanimal]

I'd say that was telling tales, but it's all here in print.

WHAT??!!!!

Oh, Geeze!

Butt, yeah!, DQ is, indeed, right!

Michael ...

Your personal story, 'behind' your fictional story, is of Importance to all of "Us", too. And, there are many threads/parts of JUB that you might find interesting, if not also helpful.

One guy, that currently comes to mind, that you might find some similar empathy with, is Ozguy. I'm not all that sure he can write as Fantastically as YOU do, but the two of you have many, many, things in common.

JUB has helped MANY of "Us" come to terms with ourselves, and others, from all around the World! DQ, and I, are just a few.

In short, I guess we're both encouraging YOU to explore this site a bit more. However, also be VERY assured that neither of us would want anything to possibly interfere with the continuation of your Awesome (fictional) story! That is helping so many, in so many ways, too!

Always keep in mind ... that no matter what ...

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

[sheep]

you have me in suspenders. *tries to put off a panic attack*

[michaelnm2000]

Not every event that occurs deserves a prominent place on a grand scale. Not every event manages to affect significant numbers of people. Some events are small by comparison, but, still have a high level of significance to individual people. Accordingly this event was not on a grand scale, would go unnoticed by most people, but meant a great deal to both Alex and in turn Jason. Some moments in personal life are like that and mark important milestones.

Is it true some things are meant to be? If such things do occur would they be called Karma, Chaos Theory in action, or just plain luck?

Maybe things do happen haphazardly producing a sequence of separate incidents. Maybe everything is part of a grander design – who knows? What ever happens – just seems to happen! Maybe a butterfly did flap it’s wings in the Amazon eventually linking incidents that connected to produce the Japanese Tsunami. Maybe that works in reverse too, maybe the New Zealand earthquake caused someone to be in a particular place at a particular time and do a particular thing or say a particular thing. Maybe they don’t, and maybe people do singularly unrelated things.

As it was - a series of incidents occurred. First the article written by Brennan was published in the “World Sports” magazine and on the stands in February. Paul, however, had an early copy, via Brennan, two days before the magazine went on sale and gave that copy to Alex with a hastily written yellow “post it” cover note stuck to the front cover. The front cover itself was a zoom action pic of Jason, his face taut, body straining and muscles defined from extreme physical stress. The pic showed Jason on his knees, paddling his surfboard, in front of a massive white foamy wave that threatened to engulf him and made him seem like a midget in comparison. It was an amazingly dramatic photograph. Inside were six pages of action pics and written sections devoted to Ironman in general plus Jason in particular.

Uncharacteristically Alex hurried into the locker room to get changed for training with less time to spare then ever. He changed quickly throwing his bag and clothes into his locker rather than taking his usual time to keep everything neat. He swung the locker door closed and hurried out onto the court for warm up before training.

Nothing might have happened, but it did!

The locker door did not close and swung open back on its hinges, as a messy pile of clothes spilled onto the locker room floor along with the magazine and the prominent vivid yellow post it note.

The magazine and note could have been covered by the spill of loose clothes. They weren’t!

Everyone from the team could have been on court training by now. They weren’t!

The note could have gone unnoticed. It didn’t!

Instead it was picked up by Ryan a “helpful” team mate. He could have shoved Alex’s belongings back into the locker. He didn’t!

He didn’t need to read the post it note, but, did!

His eyes widened as he read the words and his brain registered the implication of what he was reading on the post it note. He pushed the spilled belongings carelessly back into Alex’s locker along with the magazine.

He could have said nothing!

Alex’s private life had never been open to discussion before and he had been more than content to leave it that way. However, Ryan now knew Alex was GAY, and whilst not exactly “OUTED” the fact a team mate knew was significant. In a sense Alex had been “outed” by his own hurried mistake.

Alex, as was often the case, stayed behind to do some additional personal training and as usual was last into the locker room. The only player still there was Ryan who was almost finished dressing into his street clothes. Almost dressed, but unbeknown to Alex, Ryan had deliberately engineered the timing, and had no intention of leaving till he cornered Alex with what he knew. Alex took little notice casually shrugging off his training clothes and grabbing a towel ready to head into the showers. Ryan waited till he had a suitable chance and spoke to Alex directly.
“Wait … Alex” he said. “We need to talk.”
“We do?”
“I um … I know you’re gay … ok”
“What?”
“You’re gay … I know!”
Alex was surprised and eyed Ryan suspiciously without responding.
“I know ok … your clothes and the magazine fell out of your locker … I picked them up to put them back and read the note on the magazine. I know!”
Alex looked uncomfortably into Ryan’s face trying to figure out how to deal with the situation. Neither of them said anything for a minute or so, before Ryan broke the silence. “I had no idea … but like … um … it’s ok.”
Alex did not answer straight away as he weighed up his options. The uncomfortable pause providing time for him to figure out how to respond before shrugging his reserve aside and simply responded “If you want to call me that …”
“Like I’m not … I’m straight … but I guess I’m surprised …”
“So now you know” replied with a great deal of uncertainty.
“I do, but … like I think … well you’re still a friend and a team mate right.”
Alex nodded, keeping quiet because he was still not sure what to say.
“I don’t know if I should have told you I read the note” said Ryan as a peace offering.
“What’s done is done” replied Alex.
“Sorry”
“So what now?” asked Alex with great trepidation.
“What do you mean?”
“Well … are you going to be uncomfortable around me?”
“No why would I?”
“It’s a locker room isn’t it?”
“Oh that! I don’t know … maybe … like I don’t think so ... I think it’ll be ok .... nothing either of us hasn’t seen before.”
“You’d tell me though … if you were.”
“I will if that’s what you want”
Alex nodded assent, but, at the same time was worried. “Will you … um … will you tell anyone?”
“I haven’t thought that far.”
Alex’s body had already gone back to his teenage posture of looking down, avoiding eye contact and drooping slightly as though he was trying to become invisible in a crowd.
“Alex, don’t start thinking everyone is against you. I think all the guys would be ok about it … except maybe Tom … he might be a bit too Christian … I’m just saying, that, from my perspective I’d rather know than not know. As for telling them … um no I think that’s up to you to do that, but, they’re friends … so I think you should … I would rather you told me yourself than find out like I did.”
“Then I should?”
“Maybe just the team, not sure about anyone else.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“… the um … the guy on the cover? … is he your … your… er …”
“His name is Jason and if you mean are we together the answer is yes … but right now he’s in Australia competing and won’t be here till next month.”
“You mean he’s your boyfriend.”
“It’s more than that.”
“More?”
“Yes more” responded Alex.
“So you guys … well … you um …”
“If you’re asking about sex … I am not saying anything!” responded Alex strongly, then countered “I don’t ask you about private things like that!”
“Ok, sure, sorry! I’d like to meet him though … I mean you know us and you’ve met Emily and Kristin and the others so … yeah … I’d like to meet him.”
“Look … I’m the same guy you knew yesterday and the day before ok” spluttered Alex.
“Yeah … but … now I know.”
“And??”
“Well it’s just I have to get used to it and … if I am a friend then you should learn to trust friends.”
Trust was back on the agenda. Whilst Alex had come a long, long way could he open up enough to trust Ryan … could he trust the team? Trusting people sometimes meant you got hurt more. What would Jason think? Alex being outed carried the implication that Jason was outed by association. Jason didn’t need this.
“Right now I don’t know what to think” replied Alex softly “… and Jason … I need to talk to him ok … he’s part of this.”
“That sounds fair to me.”
“If it was fair I wouldn’t need to! You don’t need to make a statement so why should I?” countered Alex as he turned and walked into the shower room for a very long, very hot, and thoughtful shower .
Why should gay guys need to make a public statement about their sexual preferences? Why do they become labeled as “out” or “in the closet even to their closest friends? Why does it matter? If as a society we are as inclusive as we think we are, then nobody needs to be branded! Maybe if we took away the “shame” then we would not have so many young men and women depressed, feeling inadequate and far fewer teenage suicides. Why do subsets of our society have the right to look upon a person’s sexuality as “not natural” or as a crime against God? Why do governments have to create legislation to control the rights of gay people who should be seen as ordinary people? What are they frightened of? As a gay man Alex should have the full rights and responsibilities of any adult member of society and that should be enough for anyone.

[michaelnm2000]

Phew I'm glad that's posted. It took 10 rewrites to make it how I wanted it to be. The difficult part was capturing and harnessing characters against the backdrop of making a point in how society needs change. The last paragraph is totally me sounding off albeit a lot more aggressively than I would normally.
I'm proud to be accepted by the community here and felt the need to say how I feel.
Thanks for reading this installment and hopefully not getting too annoyed with my backround noise and soap box rhetoric.

Cheers all

[ronboy]

Cheers, Michael!

I love this story!

[DonQuixote]

Michael,
You're not alone in your feelings. New York recently passed the Marriage Equality Act, and my birthday was the first day homosexuals could get marriage licenses and get married in NYS.

I posted support for our State Senator, who is of the Party that normally votes "conservative christian" values. He is Catholic, as am I. I posted a retort to some people decrying him on a local radio station news article - and posted it to my FB account. I have family from Catholic to Jews to Amish, and occasionally have quiet e-discussions with an aunt (she's only 4 years older than me) who is almost menonite. We agree to disagree on a lot of things. This is one of them.

[Lefty]

And Donna has a friend clean across the country that rides his ass
all the time because the Quixote Marshmallow of Right Coast America
sees snow angels in blizzards and is so sure one day the rabbit can
stop without the fox making him dinner.

Gotta love someone like that Mikey...go to the Don Quixote Appreciation
thread and tell him you do. This spavined Left Coast glue factory reject
is losing his voice...getting a bit 'hoarse'.

.....

[Kyanimal]

Great chapter, Michael! And ... You're "Spot ON"!

You have put the concerns of all of Us very well, and quite succinctly. And, unfortunately, those are questions that are going to be asked for a long time yet to come. However, it IS getting easier! And, after what all of Us have been through, though our individual stories involve different specifics, they all still come down to what you've stated/questioned so well.

THANK YOU! for this story! And, I'm sure we're all definitely looking forward to even More!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

[michaelnm2000]

Hell yer, thx guys
Lefty - that post was fricking hilarious and had me laughing in a manner for which i am now embarrassed! (Mainly because I was eating and the guteral laughter provoked some sort of edible projectile).
I have a vacancy for a sub editor who doubles as a commedian!

[Craiger]

First of all, Michael, I have to commend you on your brilliant way of presenting the branding and labeling of any individual. Society and religion tend to think it is their business to know what people do in their spare time, particularly in their bedrooms. Seriously, though, we have come a long way, but the road can be and is still rocky for some. That is why you are right in condemning our overzealous society. There is a lot more to do the educate them and hopefully that will come to pass in the near future. Thanks for an intriguing chapter.

Craiger

[andrew thomas]

Yes, Alex is gay. so what ? why is it matter to Ryan ? why people has to stick their nose on other private business ?

I am eager to find out what happen to Alex next.

[michaelnm2000]

That evening Alex spoke to Jason online trying to come to terms with his outing and what Ryan had said to him. Jason’s response was simply that whenever he was asked personal questions he would not respond. His view was that Alex was entitled to his privacy and that how he chose to live his life was not the concern of other people. He was not against Alex being open and honest with Ryan, nor with the other Rattler’s team mates, on the proviso, that, really was, what Alex wanted to do. According to Jason labels were things useful on canned items at the supermarket but as far a people are concerned serve no such purpose! As such Alex was given the freedom to choose. Truth be known Alex would have preferred a direct answer from Jason telling him what to do rather than the “noble” response which threw the responsibility back onto his shoulders.
Something inside Alex made him want to shout out his love to the world!
Something inside him wanted to burst free … and yet … something else warned him to be careful!
There was no particular right or wrong answer.
In the end he decided not to talk to his team mates.
However he decided to confide in some friends who he felt would be there through his whole life. Latisha and Coach Brown in particular were people he both loved and trusted as friends.

Since they already knew he had been to Australia his conversations with them were very similar.
“You knew I spent some time in Australia.”
“Yeah sure.”
At this point the magazine was produced.
“I went there for a reason connected to the Ironman competition. You can read about it here.”
This was often followed by a positive response as they looked at the cover and flicked through some of the pages.
“What you didn’t know is that the guy on the cover is a friend … the truth is that he’s more than a friend … what I am trying to tell you … is that I’m … in a relationship with him. His name is Jason.”
This part was often characterized by a short silence as the news was processed.
“When I go there I stay with him. I wasn’t sure whether to tell you or not …”
Surprisingly to Alex, this information was accepted much more readily than he had expected. If anything there was curiosity about how they met and what their plans might be. Alex had not expected the support he was given. In an additional twist they wanted to meet Jason.
It’s an oddity that friends accept each other as they are and yet society has some difficulty in doing exactly the same thing. It’s reassuring the people we love and have as friends matter more than ill judged society concepts. After all we would rather be seen as a person than an impersonal statistic.

The Rattler’s season record was superb as the team headed towards late February and then onto the beginnings of “Mad March” the frenzy time for college basketball teams. So the timing of Alex’s “outing” didn’t really have a big effect. Coach Brown talked to Alex for over an hour bringing their conversation around to the team and whether anything should be done to keep the cohesiveness of the team intact. In the end they decided nothing would be required other than to continue to work hard

Meanwhile the last race of the Ironman season was held. The final format was a series of 5 consecutive sprint races in which 50 competitors lined up for the first race, but, at the end of each race the last 10 competitors to finish dropped out making the numbers decrease from 50 to 40 to 30 then 20 with the final race having 10 competitors. Jason kept a low profile in the first three races, content to make sure he qualified for the each subsequent round. He then went as hard as he could to take out the final race of the season. Six wins and a second across the season was the best ever result since the ironman began and cemented his place as Ironman Champion and a sporting icon for the surf life saving movement.

One week later Jason attended the glittering Ironman Presentation Dinner then the following day was on a plane to the USA with little else on his mind other than finally being with Alex.

Alex had no reason to be nervous, but, he was! His eyes scanned the crowd coming through the arrivals gate searching. His face lit up like a beacon the moment he saw Jason pushing a luggage trolley and his heart leapt for sheer joy. He looked so brown and tanned and at the peak of physical condition. He was wearing a pair of slim fit jeans and a blue patterned T that if anything made his shoulders look even wider and his hips even narrower.
Jason soon saw Alex’s beaming face and his stomach felt butterflies. As soon as he could he wrapped his arms around Alex giving the biggest and warmest hug.
“Dude, I have so missed you” gushed Alex. “Here let me help!”
Jason grinned from ear to ear without needing to respond.
As Alex leaned over to pick up Jason’s baggage, Jason’s eyes drank in the sight of Alex’s magnificent body sending shivers of anticipation and delight through him. Then it was through the airport and to a hire car for their drive home.
It seemed like only minutes had passed rather than hours because their drive was filled with incessant chatter. The nervous excitement of seeing each other, ebbed away to be replaced by steady increments to their sexual expectations. Every mile seemed to make their need for each other grow. Alex in particular was going absolutely nuts. His body was going crazy with desire. They were barely half way and Alex’s cock was already hard inside his jeans making any position he sat in quite uncomfortable.
Jason firstly noted the unsettled changes in position and looked down to see the bulging front of Alex’s jeans. “Is it 3 o’clock” he asked.
“No it’s still morning” replied Alex, “just after 11.”
Jason laughed knowing Alex did not get his joke. “Sure looks like it’s at 3 o’clock to me!” he replied looking down at Alex’s swollen crotch. “Man are you toey or what?”
“Toey? What’s toey?”
“Hahaha … maybe that’s an Australian term… make that horny.”
“Oh horny … what made you think that?”
“The front of your jeans … looks like a decent sized bulge to me… I’d say it’s about 3 o’clock hahahaha” he blurted.
Alex got the joke this time and laughed along. Then stopped the car on the side of the road next to a copse of trees.
Alex would have done it on the side of the road if Jason had hinted at the possibility, but, instead jumped out the car dragging Jason through the trees.
From the car to the trees was like a blurr! Their need for each other dominated every brainwave sending shooting pangs of intense desire through their bodies. Every step brought the glorious moment closer. Neither of them could wait a second more. They were at each other in a hungry flurry of arms, flesh and legs. Their skins were on fire as a primal overwhelming need pulsed through their bodies. Alex could not contain his desire as his hands went all over Jason’s body distorting his flesh and his hungry lips pressed hard against Jason’s mouth. Jason responded with equal passion but was more content to let Alex take control. Alex was crazy with desire, his tortured body knew what it needed and animal instinct took physical control. He tore off his shirt and flung it to the side pressing Jason up against a tree trunk with his hungry body. He lifted Jason’s shirt and hungrily sucked on his nipples, then pulled the shirt off. He kissed Jason with intensity while he fumbled with the front of his jeans in a rush to get them off. He forced them down around his ankles then undid his own jeans exposing his massive cock to the open air. His cock throbbed with excitement. He crushed Jason’s body with his own with their cocks held fast between them. “Please Jason” he murmured as Jason opened his body in readiness.
Alex’s cock was the hardest it had ever been, it throbbed in expectation! His cock was magnificent, it was long, thick and so primed it was like a freight train going down hill at speed and unable to be stopped. He could not hold himself back any longer and entered Jason almost exploding instantly but held back just enough before plowing his massive cock inside as far as he could. Jason writhed between Alex and the tree but eagerly opening up to the physical onslaught. Alex drove his cock in and out with an unparalleled passion and great intensity as his lust took control. He thrust his cock hard and held his position as wave after wave of hot cum shot out of his cock deep inside and his body heaved in delicious release. He struggled but was unable to stop himself from yelling out. He clung to Jason panting then hugged him tight before rolling back and noticing Jason’s sticky cum coating both their abs.
Alex grinned at Jason “sorry he offered.”
“Wow!” exclaimed Jason “that was amazing! Nothing to be sorry about, I want to come back here if it’s always like this!”
Alex was still panting, his chest rising and falling as he sucked in oxygen from the air. “I’ve missed you.”
Jason laughed “seems like an understatement to me!”
“It was!” quipped Alex as he laughed along.
“We have some catching up to do.”
“Oh … don’t I know it!” laughed Alex. As he leaned over and kissed Jason slowly and passionately and his cock showed it was ready for another session of love making.
“So much for jet lag” exclained Jason! Actually quite a good way of getting over jet lag (grins). That night they would both sleep well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[andrew thomas]

I had been waiting for this update for a long time. It is worth the waiting. It seem it will be a long night for Alex and Jason.

Good chapter. Look forward for more

[sheep]

Good lovemaking is such an important part of a relationship. The boys need lots of it. So do the readers lol

[DonQuixote]

Michael,
A very powerful reunion, indeed, lol!

Thanks for the update.

[Craiger]

Hey Michael,

I can just feel the passion combined with the intense lust both Alex and Jason are experiencing. So glad Jason is finally back with Alex. It sounds as though both did very well in their respective sports. Look forward to all the catching up they have to do.

Craiger

[michaelnm2000]

A week later it was Jason who woke first as usual and snuggled closer to the warm body next to him. He never tired of looking at Alex’s body nor did he ever tire of tracing the lines of his muscles with his finger tips. He felt like the luckiest person on earth right at that moment despite which he often worried it would somehow be taken away from him. If this is what being in love felt like then he never wanted it to end. His hand brushed over Alex’s tight abs down to his soft cock that was big even when it was soft and gently cupped his balls before returning once more to rest on his cock. He drifted off to snooze lightly as though he felt the world in his hands and he was happy. It was a perfect start to the day.
Yet this day would mark the second repercussion of Brennan’s article!
Just before Alex headed off to morning training his cell rang and Alex looked at the caller ID on the screen before answering “Hi Brennan.”
Alex listened for a while glancing occasionally towards Jason before ending with “ok sure … I will … and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
“What is it?” asked Jason “is Paul ok?”
“He’s fine … it’s not that … it’s about you.”
“Me? What is it?”
“I don’t really know … someone tracked down Brennan after the magazine article … they were asking a lot of questions about you!”
“Is that all?” laughed Jason.
“It is … but … Brennan declined to release information without your permission … he told me to talk to you and let him know what to do.”
“It’s probably better if I call Brennan back … I’ll do that after my swim” replied Jason.
“Ok … sure … I need to get to training …”
“Yeah, you go and I’ll find out what’s going on … we’ll talk later.”
“Don’t forget where you need to be at 4:00 o’clock.”
“I won’t” replied Jason and with that he moved forward and his lips brushed Alex’s as he whispered “I love you.”
“I love you too” replied Alex.

Alex completed his personal training, had some lunch and took a class before returning to the afternoon training session with the team. His team was well into “Mad March” and about to go on a crazy road trip of 6 games in 8 days. Depending how results went it was possibly his final road trip and maybe his final games for the team.
Alex and the team were in the meeting room where they often spent time with the coaches analyzing games or individual skills. They were all seated listening to the head coach when Coach Brown entered from the back of the room then slipped into his seat. His eyes caught Alex’s and he nodded.
The head coach finished his spiel “we have done the training, we know our plays, we know each other’s games and it’s up to each one of us to stand tall in a statement of our courage and to show who we are.”
All eyes turned to the flat screen mounted on the wall as the final footage showed not a basketball game but a 15 minute compilation of Ironman Australia. It ended with the scene of the Bondi race where Jason gave up his first win to help a mate. As the screen went blank Coach added “gentlemen are you inspired by this?”
“Hell yes” came back the first reply.
Followed in succession by quick responses.
“Definitely”
“Awesome”
“Yeah”
Coach Brown invisibly moved to the back of the room and opened the door.
As the head coach continued “Well then gentlemen let me introduce you to Mr Jason Smyth.”
In walked Jason to a chorus of cheers.
The questions were fired quick and fast as Jason did his best to keep up with them. He was the smallest guy in the room dwarfed by the tall forwards and even a bit shorter than the guards but with arguably the greatest courage and the greatest modesty about his achievements.
This final session for the team had nothing to do with tactics or skill. This was a session for inspiration and for motivation.
Jason’s message however was far more universal because he was making the statement that said he was an ordinary guy blessed with wonderful opportunity but that every person has the same courage inside them whether they know it or not, and that it was up to them to discover that essence resting inside.
… and with that Jason was now an additional team mascot on the road trip!
On the walk back to Alex’s room he asked Jason how his call with Brennan went. “Oh that was fine” he replied “we ended up agreeing to Brennan supplying my cell phone number and do away with him being caught up in the middle. The only odd thing is that he said that another person called asking for contact details. How weird is that two separate people within 24 hours.”
“Oh” exclaimed Jason “do you see that?”
“What!” exclaimed Alex as he looked around.
“That” replied Jason pointing.
“The bench seat!” laughed Alex now realizing what Jason meant.
“Oh yeah … I think we may have been this way before” he chuckled.
“Can’t you wait till be get back?”
“I could … but … it’s more like … I don’t want to … I like it here!”
At that they both laughed and strolled over to the bench.

[michaelnm2000]

Hi all.
Did you miss me?
Nothing is amiss here - all good. Just enjoying what life has to offer.
I didn't realise it had been so long though and when i saw 20 000 reads - omg that is fricking amazing. I would love to hear from some of those silent people too. Any message is a good one.
Cheers all and have a great 2012.

[DonQuixote]

Happy New Year, Michael!

I've been thinking about you.
Have you run into Taz around here? He could be one of your Lifeguards! He's a Goldcoast Guy.

I loved your installment. The intrigue of what/who's trying to contact him . . .

[andrew thomas]

Thank you Michael for your new post. I am glad the story is develop in the right direction. I sense there will be hurddle ahead. cause life will not be so smooth sail like in fantasy land. Happy ever after. Oh well what I am talking. let Michael do the talking. we are waiting.......