Date: Sat, 19 Dec 2015 14:31:07 -0500
From: Jesse McMillan <writingafewstories@gmail.com>
Subject: Giving Us A Chance-Chapter 8

The sun had not quite peaked over the eastern horizon when Aidan arose
noiselessly from the bed and crept to the kitchen. Mason wasn't exactly one
to be up with the chickens, but he'd have to hurry if he had everything
ready when Mason did stir. He stared out onto the grassy bald that
surrounded the house as he rummaged round the kitchen, dodging the boxes
he'd snuck in last night. It was evident winter was approaching. As October
had turned to November, and now November into December the mountains had
shed their brilliant hues for winter cloaks of grey and brown, only the oak
trees still clinging to any leaves. Each morning they awoke to the
mountaintop being covered in a hard frost, the ground white as snow. A few
mornings had already brought dustings of snow.

Thanksgiving had been a boisterous affair of he and Mason going down to
join his mother and some extended family. Aidan smiled as he recalled the
raucous laughter that had filled the day. He truly believed even Mason had
enjoyed himself in the company of his family. And they'd all been so
gracious about his and Mason's relationship! But Christmas was coming and
he wanted that to be a bit more special. It wasn't that he planned for he
and Mason to hole up on top of the mountain and sleep through the entire
holiday season. No, it was something more, something private.

There were still no fireworks between he and Mason, no sudden desire to
throw Mason across the bed and ravish him. But Aidan couldn't deny their
relationship was growing. They'd settled into an easy, comfortable
relationship together. They had coffee together in the mornings, on the
patio as the sun rose until the cold had driven them indoors. They chatted
together throughout their lunch breaks. They even spent the evenings
attempting some semblance of cooking a descent dinner together. The simple
fact was that Mason was easy to live with. And though Aidan wouldn't be one
to casually toss the word "love" around after Meagan, Mason was easy to
love! Perhaps Aidan wasn't head over heels in love with his best friend as
Mason desired, but Aidan couldn't deny things were changing between them.

Though Aidan knew Mason desperately desired more, and he clung to any sign
of affection Aidan showed him, Aidan also knew Mason was trying with all
his might to be patient and take their relationship slow for his sake. This
was one of the things he appreciated about Mason; he didn't push. He
would've never admitted it to Mason when they'd first agreed to try out the
idea of dating, but Aidan had worried that Mason would be so desperate for
his affection that he'd make things awkward between them, most especially
after the way things had transitioned so quickly with the house. But the
fact was that Mason did anything but. It seemed their friendship only made
the transition from "friend" to what they both jokingly referred to as
"something else" smoother.

Mason knew Aidan, knew him possibly only slightly less that Aidan's
mother. He could read and judge Aidan's reactions. He knew what pleased
Aidan and what made him uncomfortable. He knew how to calm or comfort Aidan
when he came home from work in a foul mood. It wasn't that Mason played the
part of housewife, running to offer Aidan slippers and a massage. But Mason
had a way of making Aidan feel better about his grumbles and gripes. And
perhaps one of the things that made their relationship work was the fact
that Mason didn't attempt to play the "submissive" role. Their's wasn't a
relationship of masculine and effeminate. They were simply Aidan and Mason,
equals together. Aidan couldn't help but chuckle as he recalled the
conversation they'd had the night before. He'd returned from work grumbling
about a coworker who'd been on his chops all day. Mason had listened
patiently, only to simply shrug later and ask, "why didn't you tell him to
fuck off?"

But as Aidan pondered these things a surge of guilt swept over him. Was he
really giving his all to Mason? Was he really trying with all his might to
make their relationship work? He couldn't deny that there was something
there between them. It might not be a fairy tale love, but there was
something. Perhaps Aidan didn't have a sudden desire to rush to the jewelry
store and buy matching bands. But didn't he love Mason all the same for
just how hard he knew Mason was trying? Hadn't he just admitted that that
was one of the things he appreciated about Mason; that he was letting Aidan
work this out at his own pace?

He frowned at himself as he placed Mason's favorite coffee into the
machine. When he and Meagan had been dating they'd already messed around by
this stage in their relationship! He might not be ready to cross that line
with Mason, but it was time to take things forward! He'd already admitted
to something between them. Hadn't he promised Mason he'd be willing to give
them a chance? Well, maybe it was time to take things a little further and
see where they went. And he'd start this morning with the plans he had!

==========================================================================================================================================

Mason awoke to a room filled with delicious smells. Coffee, bacon, eggs,
toast, and a note all sat on a tray that had been placed gently on the bed
by him.


========================== ( In the shower. Eat up. We've got a busy day! )
==========================

He sleepily raised himself into a sitting position and pulled the tray
toward him, his mind full of questions. What on earth was going on? Today
was just Saturday; it wasn't like this was some kind of holiday or
anything. But appreciating Aidan's gesture all the same, he dug into the
breakfast before him. Despite his countless jokes about living on protein
shakes and meals from the Fresh Market, Aidan proved a surprisingly great
cook. The eggs were perfectly scrambled, not overdone or undercooked. He'd
cooked Mason's bacon till just crispy. He'd remembered! Mason smiled as he
remembered all the times he and Aidan had argued over breakfast as
children.

( "I like bacon crispy, but not burned. It's nasty when it's burned!"
"Well, I like it really crunchy!" "But it's no good when it's too cooked!")

Mason had just finished his last bite of toast when Aidan came sauntering
from the bathroom, nothing but a towel draped loosely around his
waist. Between the sight before him and the brilliant smile flashed toward
him Mason nearly choked. "Good morning!" "Mm.....morning." "Sleep well?"
"Pretty good. You?" Mason's heart nearly pounded out of his chest as
Aidan's muscular body crossed the distance between them and sat next to him
on the edge of the bed. It took every ounce of restraint he held to not
allow himself to gawk at the exceptionally muscular man that, even when
sitting, towered over him. But what happened next both caused his heart to
flipflop and brought a hitch to his breath.

After sitting aside the tray between them two strong hands grasped his
shoulders and pulled him into a tender embrace. Mason's own tee shirt
became wet from the beads of water still trickling along Aidan's broad
shoulders and chest. He was sure Aidan could hear his heart hammering
within him. But he needn't have worried for long, for when the two hands
lifted his forehead to Aidan's mouth for a brief kiss he was sure he'd
simply die altogether! The smile that followed was dazzling. "How's my
boyfriend this morning?" "Your.......boyfriend?" A wonderful chuckled
rumbled from within the muscled chest he leaned against. "Well, since we're
living together, I figure we're either boyfriends or an old married couple!
You can pick which you'd rather be! Now, if you're completely finished with
breakfast go get ready. We've got things to do!"

Half an hour later Aidan was dragging Mason through the grove of countless
firs and spruces that hedged the bare fields atop the mountain. Even in the
colder temperatures their fragrant aroma filled the air. The feeling of the
crisp, cold air filled with the fragrant spice of the evergreens was
magical. Aidan had brought along a chainsaw, winking mischievously when
Mason had questioned "whether he actually knew how to work it or not."
Mason smiled as Aidan suggested tree after tree to him. He seemed like a
small child as his gaze roamed from tree to tree. "How bout this one? No,
it's got a hole in the back." "I think it's pretty." "Nah, it has to be
just right! Ooooh, how about this one? Nah, it's not big enough. We'll let
it grow another year!"

Countless trees later Aidan and Mason made their way back toward the house,
a massive evergreen in tow Mason guessed would've been almost fifteen feet
tall. Though he'd chuckled at Aidan's boyish desire "for things to be
perfect," he had to admit the tree was lovely. And when he and Aidan had
finally wrestled the tree into place by the fireplace Mason had to admit
that it's more natural shape and untrimmed look seemed to make it perfect
for their house. Aidan stood beside him, smiling a smile of boyish
glee. "Now that's a tree!" Mason chuckled. "Yep, I'd say you made a pretty
good selection. Now if we can just avoid getting thrown in jail for cutting
a tree that wasn't on our own property!"

==========================================================================================================================================

Aidan stood smiling at the heartwarming scene before him. The tree and
fireplace mantle were finally finished, filling the house with a beautiful
cheery glow. Countless popcorn fights, all under the pretense of "stringing
garland for the tree," many strains and heaves to get the towering tree
into place, several more trips to the evergreen groves to collect even more
pine, wild holly, and mountain laurel for the mantle, and no less than
twenty batches of cookie ornaments later everything was complete. The
boxes, filled earlier in the day with everything from old-fashioned C7
Christmas lights and tinsel, to borrowed records of Bing Crosby and Andy
Williams, to the vast amount of baking supplies he'd figured they'd need
for all those homemade ornaments on the tree, now sat empty and piled by
the garbage. But perhaps what warmed his heart more than any other sight
was the small form that lay asleep on the leather sofa by the fireplace.

It had been a wonderful day; there simply was no other way to describe
it. Though Aidan took no arrogant pleasure in his "being right," he was
overjoyed to see that his plans had worked as he'd hoped. Mason had
thoroughly enjoyed himself; he'd not seen him smile that broadly in a great
while. Christmas was always a bit difficult for Mason, having lost his
grandfather during the holiday season. But Aidan hoped and prayed that
this, their new relationship and spending time together, could help ease
that hurt just a bit. Even if he'd been able to take Mason's mind off
painful things for just a while, it had all been worth it!

The old stereo was still playing some old LP Mason had excitedly pulled
from the stack Aidan had borrowed for him. Aidan didn't know who the hell
Frank Sinatra was. He'd never been one for the old stuff, much preferring
the more modern country music he listened to. His mother, bless her, had
always been a bit strange, preferring to listen to classical junk like
"Mantovani," whoever the hell the was, so they'd simply agreed to disagree
throughout the years about their tastes in music. But as Aidan lifted the
lovely young man into his arms, his features gentle and relaxed in a
peaceful slumber, he had to admit that Frank Sinatra knew something about
what they were experiencing. He truly was beginning to "have himself a
merry little Christmas."

==========================================================================================================================================

Mason awoke to a sensation that both startled and thrilled him. He was
being carried! "Well, hello sleepyhead," a deep voice chuckled. Aidan! His
mind now wide awake, he gazed into the face that smiled down at him as they
made their way up the staircase. "How long was I asleep?" "Not long. Just
long enough for me to get some enjoyment out of watching you!" Mason felt
himself blush. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to doze off and leave you with the
cleaning up." Another warm rumble echoed through Aidan's chest. "Not to
worry; I didn't actually clean up! We'll worry about that tomorrow. Now,
let's get you to bed."

 "Aidan?" "Mm-hmm?" "Thanks for today."

==========================================================================================================================================

Aidan stared into the loving eyes that gazed up from within his arms, and
his heart swelled within him. Gently lifting his friend's diminutive frame
towards his own face, he placed a small kiss on Mason's cheek. "You're very
welcome." He didn't trust himself to speak another word as they ascended
the stairs toward their bedroom. His heart felt too many emotions, and he
greatly feared that, if he attempted to speak, he'd not be able to truly
express to Mason how he felt. He was sure Mason could feel his own heart
thundering within his chest. But what was going on? He'd never felt this
way before!

==========================================================================================================================================

Aidan didn't speak another word as he gently carried Mason to their
bedroom. Mason was grateful for this, because he wasn't sure he'd be able
to keep hold on his emotions, were they to continue. Aidan had known, he'd
known all along. He might not be one for spilling his guts and baring his
soul, but Aidan knew this time of year was hard for Mason. And though Mason
still wasn't totally sure where their relationship was headed, he knew
Aidan had done everything today for him. And he was grateful for that!

==========================================================================================================================================

Aidan deposited Mason lightly onto their bed, taking a seat next to him. It
was time; there was not more putting this off! He'd been a coward about
this long enough. It was time to tell Mason how he felt. Mason said nothing
as they sat together, simply staring into Aidan's own eyes. It seemed he
knew there was something between them that couldn't be spoke, something
that words simply couldn't describe. But if not with words, how in the hell
was Aidan to truly tell Mason how he felt?

==========================================================================================================================================

Mason stared into the blue eyes that bore into his own. What was this?
Something was different between them. He wasn't sure he could've described
the feeling between them, even if he'd tried. But it was there, a
nervousness, a sense of need to say something, but of not knowing what or
how. He wondered if Aidan felt it as well. He couldn't read the look that
now shown from those steely blue orbs. But something was there. He'd just
opened his mouth to speak when it happened. A muscled arm snaked swiftly
around him and pulled him into Aidan's chest, all while a rough hand found
it's way to his head and pulled his face toward Aidan's own.

It happened in an instant, so quickly that Mason found himself momentarily
dazed. Two soft lips came crushing down on his own. Mason felt his
breathing hitch as his mind struggled to grasp hold of what was
happening. But the kiss continued, growing more desperate with each
second. He felt his own body melting into the muscled chest that he was
bound to, his own mouth responding to the invitation offered. A low
growl-like rumble echoed from somewhere deep within the muscled body he
clung to. He felt his bottom lip sting and begin to swell slightly as Aidan
began to nip his way along Mason's mouth.

For some time Aidan nipped and loved his way along Mason's body. Mason was
sure in the morning he'd have small bruises from his mouth to his earlobes
as Aidan continued his path. But with each twinge of pain as Aidan nicked
and suckled an overwhelming, overpowering sense of lust would arise as
Aidan's tongue traced patterns over the areas he'd just covered, seemingly
attempting to heal the damage his loving had just created. Mason's
breathing came in ragged gasps as each new kiss, each new flick of a
tongue, drove him further and further from his senses.

Aidan spent what seemed an eternity tracing his path along Mason's neck,
pausing only long enough to literally shred Mason's shirt from collar hem
as he then dipped lower to Mason's collarbone. Aidan's kisses grew tender
and sweet as he crossed Mason's chest, sending massive shivers along
Mason's frame. But eventually the swelteringly hot mouth returned to his
own, and a flick on his tongue began to demand entrance to Mason's mouth.

Mason had never experienced anything like Aidan's kiss. He was both
demanding and loving, rough and yet gentle. It seemed their tongues melded
into one as they caressed and loved each other. Mason allowed his hands to
tangle into the shock of unruly hair that crowned his lover, bringing
guttural groans from Aidan's massive frame. Two rough hands ran their way
along his shoulders and began to work their way along his spine,
withdrawing moans from his own strained body.

After what seemed an eternity, both their bodies in desperate need of
breath, Mason felt Aidan pull away from him. Two blue eyes stared lustily
down into his own as Aidan's chest heaved. A small, stifled gasp escaped
Mason as a rough hand found its way onto his chest, directly above his
heart, and a rough voice spoke. "Mine now.........all mine!"