Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 17:50:35 -0400 (EDT)
From: Kai Wailbone <wailbone@excite.com>
Subject: Second Toughest in the Infants - Chapter Nine

SECOND TOUGHEST IN THE INFANTS
by Kai Wailbone

Author's note: this and other chapters will now be in text format,
if only because the sole reason I have not been posting is because
of my access to an HTML editor. This has been eliminated by putting
everything in plain text. Just don't expect things to look so
fancy...
     ALSO - I'm giving up on the mailing list. I simply don't have
the access to keep up right now... but I still love you all.
Promise.

A little shout out to NICK JOHNSON (if, indeed, that is your real
name) for "Nick and Ashley." I admittedly didn't really like the
story AT FIRST, but it does get addicting.


FOR SEBASTIAN - "Oh, my God! ...next!"



DISCLAIMER FOR CHAPTER NINE

     This is a work of fiction. The characters are fictional,
though their names and descriptions are similar to real people. Do
not take this (the story) seriously. Please.

     The title is from the Underworld album "Second Toughest in the
Infants." The chapter headings are from lyrics and song names.



Second Toughest in the Infants
Chapter Nine - To Dream of Love

___________________________________

"You crawled inside my mind when you crawled into my bed
said everything I've ever longed to hear
so perfect, so alive, once inside you sucked me dry
used me up and left me here for dead..."
     - Stabbing Westward, "I don't believe"
___________________________________


Jacob was careful not to show his surprise at Ashley's presence in
his room. Instead, he stepped casually out of the bathroom, towel
wrapped around his waist and stoically stifled the small shivers
that crept up his spine as the cool air touched his still
shower-damp skin. The wet ends of his dreads swept heavily at the
base of his neck as he turned his head to face Ashley.
     "Hey, Jake."
     Jacob stared at Ashley coldly. "Ash."
     Ashley's smile faded ever so slightly. "How're you doin'?"
     Jacob shrugged and moved past Ashley, not disguising his
anger. He'd been in the shower for almost forty minutes, asking
himself that exact same question. All night his emotions had been
in a constant state of upheaval, moving from the extremes of
pdepression and bitterness to an all-consuming rage. He'd resisted
the anger, rationalizing and coming up with increasingly improbable
ways where it could be his fault, until finally, with morning and
the warm shower water pouring over him, he'd embraced the anger,
letting it wash over him with the water, feeling it give him the
strength and energy he needed to keep standing and go through the
motions of normalcy.
     Now, with the object of his anger a few feet away, he felt
almost afraid to open his mouth, irrationally fearing his words
might lash out so hard as to actually do physical damage. Keeping
his back turned, he started pulling at the pile of clothes on the
floor, searching for something clean to wear.
     Sounding uncertain and hesitant, Ashley lifted his hand, which
was clutching a tightly wadded towel. "I, uh... I was wondering if
I could use your shower." At Jacob's sharp look, he quickly added,
"Dan's been in ours all morning."
     Jacob felt an immediate twinge of suspicion - Dan almost never
spent more than twenty minutes in the bathroom, taking pride in
getting himself ready faster than anyone else. He was famous for
it. Which pointed to the natural conclusion that Ashley was lying
for some reason.
     And the idea of Ashley telling such an obvious lie as an
excuse to be in his room... Jacob couldn't help smiling inwardly in
spite of his anger.
     But he didn't let any of his satisfaction show. Instead, Jacob
nodded curtly to the bathroom, indicating his permission, and
managed to ignore Ashley so well that it took several seconds for
him to realize that Ashley hadn't moved. He was staring at Jacob
with a sad, almost hopeful expression that tugged at Jacob's heart
strings.
     "Jake... what's wrong?"
     Jacob didn't even look up. He'd been rehearsing this scene in
his head all morning, how he would give Ashley the cold shoulder,
let him regret ever having made him mad, making him squirm under
his justified revenge... But it didn't help that, now that he was
actually doing it, all he wanted was to turn to Ashley and smile,
tell him everything was forgiven, and ask that they just start over
again...
     "Jake... Jake, look, I know you're probably mad..."
     "'PROBABLY'?" Jacob allowed his bitterness to drip from his
voice, rolling his eyes incredulously. "Whatever gave you THAT
idea?"
     Ashley didn't answer, obviously shocked into silence. Biting
his lower lip, he tried to smile again. "Is it about yesterday?"
     "Yesterday, last week, last month... does it matter?" Jacob
snapped angrily.
     "What are you talking about? I didn't..."
     "I'm not going to be your rebound, Ash. Just because this
thing with Shelli fell apart..."
     "But I didn't..."
     "Shut up."
     Ashley stared at him in shock, and only his carefully
practiced expression of anger prevented Jacob from mirroring it.
Opening his mouth, Jacob tried to think of something scathing and
wise to say, something that expressed his frustration, his pain at
Ashley's (hopefully) unintentional betrayal, his desire for things
to be perfect in a way no one else seemed to understand...
     But words failed him. Shaking his head in a way he knew could
be mistaken for pity, he sighed.
     "Take your shower, Ash," he said, lazy contempt on his voice.
Turning away again, he sighed again in affected resignation and,
without thinking, dropped his towel.
     For a moment, Jacob was so surprised with himself that he
froze, his back turned but completely naked in front of Ashley. Not
that Ashley hadn't seen him naked before - he had, many times, and
in far more compromising positions. But... Jacob had never allowed
anyone to see him naked in broad daylight. Not casually, not while
dressing, not in the shower. Ever. Whether it was self esteem
issues or just an overgrown sense of modesty, he didn't know and
hadn't really ever stopped to consider. Now, he felt his face
getting hot, and he was sure that his blush was extending far
beyond his face. He wanted nothing better than to pick up the towel
and cover himself back up again, but that would show weakness, or
that it had been a mistake. So, praying that Ashley would take the
hint and just leave him alone, he bent over quickly and started
pawing through the pile of clothes beside his bed, looking for
something clean to wear.
     "Jake..."
     Ashley's voice sounded a bit hoarse, but Jacob didn't
straighten until he'd found a pair of gray boxer briefs. No longer
caring if they were clean or dirty, he held them in front of him as
he turned around. "What?"
     "I, uh..."
     Jacob, careful to hold the underwear loosely but strategically
in front of him, turned all the way around. His heart was pounding
loudly in his chest and his hands were shaking ever so slightly,
but still he managed to look arrogantly indifferent.
     "What?" he asked again. "It's nothing you haven't seen
already."
     Ashley's eyes slowly made their way to Jacob's face. "Yeah,
but..." Ashley seemed to hesitate for a moment. "You... you know,
I... just wanted to let you know, that... uh... I thought about you
last night."
     "REALLY?" Jacob heard the harsh, accusatory suspicion in his
voice, but somewhere deep inside of him a surge of hope had leaked
into his anger. "'Thought about me' HOW?"
     Ashley smiled slightly. "How do you think?"
     Jacob sighed heavily, his anger spiking just as violently as
his arousal. "Dammit, Ashley, I'm not some toy you can just pick up
or throw away when you're bored..."
     "I never said you were a toy..."
     "But you treat me that way, don't you?" Jacob shot back as he
turned away. His anger flowed through him, pumping like adrenaline,
and he felt his face flushing in excitement. But somewhere, a tiny,
almost embarassing part of him was enjoying this, was waiting
desperately for Ashley to... to...
     "No, Jake... look, Jake, this is all kinda new to me..."
     "Me, too, but you don't see me running around with other guys,
do you?"
     "No, worse, you're planning our fucking marriage or
something."
     Jacob closed his mouth with a snap. That had hurt, more than
he'd like to admit. But rather than show Ashley how successful his
barb had been, he bent over to pull his underwear on.
     "You, uh... sure you want to do that so soon?"
     "Why?" Jacob asked sharply.
     "Well... you could come over here, and I'll show you." In an
instant all hesitancy had evaporated from Ashley's voice, and the
cold command that underlay the coy statement raised a shiver up
Jacob's spine.
     Jacob turned to face Ashley, but he found that his anger had
disappeared just as quickly. In spite of his half-hearted
resistance, he found that his attention was rivited, caught in
Ashley's pale blue eyes, so bright, so appealing, somehow managing
to reach inside him and melt his insides into a warm, sloppy mess.
     "C'mere," Ashley coaxed again, softer this time.
     All of Jacob's energy, his self-confidence, his anger,
everything drained away as he stared helplessly at Ashley, who had
raised a single beckoning hand. Slowly, almost shuffling in his
bare feet, Jacob crossed the room.
     Ashley smiled at him, but it wasn't very comforting. It was
highly suggestive, almost lewd... Jacob felt a moment's discomfort
looking at it, and almost backed away. Then Ashley's hand was on
his waist, tugging at the elastic of the underwear he'd just pulled
on. Jacob flinched slightly at the feel of Ashley's cool fingers
against his skin, and he was pushing forward ever so slightly...
     "See?"
     Shaken out of his thoughts, Jacob looked up, startled. "Huh?"
     Ashley grinned as he pointed at the elastic band in his hands.
"These are mine. You don't own any Ralph Lauren underwear..."
     Realization crashed down on Jacob. "Oh... yeah... sorry, I..."
     "Nah, don't worry about it." Ashley shrugged. "It's not like
you're gonna stretch them out or anything."
     Jacob flashed Ashley an irritated glance before turning on his
heel, but the steam had gone out of his anger. Thinking he'd just
shrug it off, he headed back to the pile of clothes, scanning it
for anything clean...
     He was stopped by an arm encircling his waist. Surprised, he
almost pulled out of it before he felt Ashley's fingers tracing his
spine, following its trail down to the elastic band of his - no,
ASHLEY'S - underwear... which, Jacob now noticed, WERE somewhat
loose on him. He couldn't help shivering as Ashley's fingers left
his bare skin and traced the curve of his waist through the thin
fabric. Ashley's mouth came close to his ear, whispering softly.
     "Have I ever told you... what an incredibly cute ass you
have?" Ashley's lips brushed against his neck, pulling another
shiver out of him, though probably more from the words than the
warm, tickling breath. Ever so slowly, Ashley's other arm, which
had held Jacob close against him, pulled back, his hand creeping
along the smooth skin of Jacob's stomach, moving ever lower. Unable
to help himself, a small, desperate whimper escaped Jacob's lips.
     He could hear Ashley's smile in his voice.
     "Oh, Jacob... how did we ever start fighting?"
     With that, Jacob practically melted into Ashley's arms.

*************

"So what do you think?"
     Trevor blinked sleepily, the early Californian morning sun
reflecting off of the cars in the street and blinding him. "About
what?"
     Erik shrugged. "You know... the party."
     Trevor glanced back at the hotel lobby doors. The reflections
from the street were too bright for him to see inside, but he was
confident that Jeremy was still inside buying his cigarettes.
     Turning back to Erik, he said, "I dunno, man. I mean... it'll
be almost four days, and a party to boot. I'd want to go... but
Jeremy's been acting all bitchy lately... and, well, you know how
he and Ben can be..."
     "Yeah..." Erik nodded, his eyes focused on his shoes. "But it
would be nice to have a break, wouldn't it?"
     "Yeah, it would."
     They sat on the curb in front of the hotel in silence for
several minutes before Jeremy finally came back out, an unlit
cigarette dangling from his mouth.
     "Hey, T."
     "Jer."
     Jeremy lit his cigarette and looked around. Glancing from
Trevor to Erik, he asked, "Where is everybody?"
     "What do you mean?"
     Jeremy checked his watch. "Well, unless I am mistaken, it is
now five minutes before you guys are supposed to leave, and for
some reason Erik is here."
     Erik looked up, startled. "Huh?"
     "You're on time, E. When's the last time that happened?"
     "Oh, come on," Erik said as Trevor laughed. "I'm not always
late."
     "Oh, yeah, sure, you're right... not always..." Jeremy nodded
for a moment before frowning. "Wait a minute... YES, yes, you
are..."
     Trevor laughed even harder. Erik turned and gave him an evil
glare before asking, "So anyway... how was the movie?"
     "Oh, great. It was a great experience." Jeremy sighed and blew
smoke from his nose.
     "Well, that's cool."
     "Yeah, I guess..." Jeremy looked up to the hotel door. "But
seriously, guys, where's Jacob? Or Dan? Isn't Dan usually the one
to make sure everyone else is on time?"
     Trevor frowned. "Honestly, I don't know. I haven't seen him
all morning." Poking Erik lightly on the shoulder, he said, "I've
had enough on my hands getting HIM out of bed on time."
     "Hmmm... Dan's probably beating Ashley over the head with a
stick trying to get him to wake up." Jeremy smiled slightly at the
thought, exhaling smoke as he spoke. "So... video shoot again
today?"
     "No, actually, not until later," Trevor said. "It's a photo
shoot today."
     "Oooh, for what?"
     "Promo shots."
     "Sounds like LOADS of fun." Jeremy looked around for a moment,
catching Erik's glare. "So, yeah... I won't bother you too much
today... I was actually hoping to chat really quickly with
Ashley..."
     Trevor grinned. "Ashley? He won't be down for a while... he's
probably still asleep..."
     Jeremy laughed. "Yeah, probably..."
     "Why do you need to talk to him?" Erik's voice was flat, and
only marginally curious.
     "Um... well, I need to make sure he recovered okay from the
party. He wasn't... well, he went a bit overboard." Something
flickered behind Jeremy's eyes for a second, then it was gone and
he was all smiles again. "And, anyway, it was an excuse for me to
see if you guys are coming to my sister's for the party."
     Trevor watched Erik's expression as Jeremy sat down beside
them. "Um... how many people will be there?" Trevor asked.
     "Not many... my sisters, Ben... Trent and the Rev said they
might stop by... you know, just a really small, family gathering."
     "And why are WE invited?"
     Jeremy didn't answer for a moment, staring at the smoke
trailing away from his cigarette. "Well," he said, "I... well, I
figured you guys could use a break." Glancing quickly up at Trevor,
he said softly, "I know how tough it can be, living in a fishbowl."
     Trevor tried to smile, but he couldn't think of any real
response. Shrugging slightly, he said, "Thanks..." It felt too
inadequate, so he said it again. "Yeah, thanks, man."

****************

     It was all Ashley could do to keep from laughing at Jacob's
hesitant, shy desire that he refused to reveal even for an instant,
no matter how obvious it was. All it took was a few light touches,
a kiss on the cheek, and Jacob had practically collapsed. Ashley
half-carried, half-led Jacob over to the nearest bed, laying him
none too gently on his back. Jacob's breath was already harsh and
ragged, his eyes half closed as Ashley's fingers danced along his
chest, his other hand stroking the inside of Jacob's thigh. It
fascinated him how smooth and soft Jacob's skin could be... almost
like a girl's. For a moment, he sat at the edge of the bed, just
staring at Jacob's body.
     "Ashley..."
     "What?" Ashley heard the slightly annoyed sound of his own
voice, so he said, softer, "What's wrong?"
     Jacob either hadn't heard Ashley's tone, or hadn't cared. "Do
you... do you want me to...?" He lifted a hand onto Ashley's leg,
opening his eyes just wide enough to look questioningly up.
     "Actually... you know what?" Ashley grinned, taking Jacob's
hand from his leg and pinning it to the bed. "You just relax."
Taking Jacob's other hand, he held them spread out on either side,
then lowered himself against Jacob's neck.
     Again, Ashley marveled at Jacob's skin. As he kissed and
lightly nibbled at Jacob's neck, he could almost imagine it was a
girl under him, soft and giving, squirming ever so slightly in
pleasure... but it also excited him to no end that it was Jacob,
someone he'd looked up to for months... it was Jacob that he was
straddling, holding down, and virtually torturing with the promise
of sexual release. Jacob the hardass, the bad boy, the anti-pop
hero... being dominated by the youngest member of the band. He felt
Jacob struggle ever so slightly against his confinement, but Ashley
held his arms tightly as he moved his mouth lower to Jacob's chest.
Snaking his tongue out, he lightly licked at one of Jacob's
nipples, pulled taught and erect from excitement and cold, then
closed his teeth gently on it. Jacob arched his back slightly and
moaned, reminding Ashley for a moment of
     (oh god dan oh god dan dan dan what did i)
     but he pushed the thought away before it could take form.
     Beneath him, Jacob gasped slightly at the touch of Ashley's
cool fingers as they released their grip on his wrists, moving
slowly down his sides. Laying his head against Jacob's chest, he
listened to Jacob's sighing breath as his hands moved across the
hairless terrain of Jacob's stomach, void of even nearly
transparent fuzz below his belly button. His fingers danced
tantalizingly lower, and he felt himself almost drooling at the
feeling of his knuckles barely brushing against the thin,
surprisingly soft and still shower-damp pubic hair, teasing Jacob
wordlessly with his butterfly-soft touch...
     (-thefuck?)
     With a startled jerk Ashley sat up. Jacob was enjoying himself
too much to notice, and Ashley just stared at him. His faced turned
up, eyes closed, mouth slightly opened, his dread locks fanned out
around like a strange, dark halo. His arms, still stretched to the
side but with his hands gripping at the pale bed sheets. His breath
coming in short gasps. His...
     Him...
     Ashley felt like his insides were twisting, as if someone had
reached into his chest and started squeezing. He felt overwhelmed,
physically nauseous, and for a few seconds his vision got a bit
blurry...
     Then it was gone, swept aside by something that was rising
quickly in him, spreading like wildfire, enveloping him in a
strange, internal heat.
     Desire.
     No, not desire. Desire was too nice, to proper, too Sunday-
school a word. This wasn't desire... this was more primal, more
animal, this was... this was...
     Lust.
     Lust mixed with something else... disgust, loathing, guilt...
but even as he pushed it away, the mixture intoxicated him like a
cocktail. Licking his finger, he reached down and gently touched
Jacob's lips... Jacob opened his eyes ever so slightly, and Ashley
slowly lowered his own face down and pressed his mouth against
Jacob's.
     For an instant before he gave himself up to the kiss, Ashley
realized he'd never really kissed Jacob like this since that first
time, what felt like a hundred years ago, just completely in the
moment of simple, innocent passion. Closing his eyes, he reached
out and took Jacob's face in his hands, pulling him closer, snaking
his tongue out and exploring Jacob's mouth, as slow and hesitant as
he would with a scared kitten.
     The image of kissing a kitten made Ashley snort with sudden
laughter, and he had to back away, coughing to cover for himself.
     "Ash... you okay?"
     "Yeah, yeah..." Ashley grinned. "Fine."
     Jacob looked at him for a moment longer, clearly uncertain,
but as Ashley started caressing his neck and shoulder he let it go.
     Ashley stared at his fingers, their slight trembling
disturbing him somewhat. Flattening his hand, he watched as he
streaked a trail of his own saliva against Jacob's skin. Jacob's
eyes opened just enough for him to send an inquisitive look up to
Ashley before closing again, fully trusting.

*************

     "Uh-oh... this is trouble."
     Trevor watched as Mike came up to them, hands clutching a
clipboard in front of him, his eyes flickering between them and
Jeremy, who was leaning against their black Suburban and watching
Mike with a strangely baleful expression.
     Erik nodded to Mike. "Hey, Mike."
     "Erik... Trevor..." Mike glanced at Jeremy again briefly.
"Unfortunately, I have some bad news."
     Jeremy snorted. Mike ignored him.
     "As I am sure you have noticed, we were supposed to leave
about ten minutes ago." Unnecessarily, Mike glanced at his watch.
"However, due to unforeseen difficulties with the studio, we're
going to need to postpone it ever so slightly."
     Erik groaned loudly, but before he could comment, Trevor
jumped in. "How late?"
     "Until this afternoon. Earliest would be one."
     "What? ONE IN THE AFTERNOON?" Trevor stared at Mike. "But it's
a three hour shoot, and we have at least six hours for the video,
which means..."
     "Which means we'll be doing the video until about midnight,"
Erik finished bitterly. "Fan-FUCKING-tastic."
     Mike smiled his best I'm-just-doing-my-job-but-I'm-still-your-
friend smile. "Look, guys... I know you got up early and
everything, but this is just one of those things that happens." He
glanced around. "Besides, everyone else doesn't seem to be here
yet, anyway. Why don't you guys go see if you can find them and
give them the message?"
     Trevor nodded and grabbed Erik before he could say anything
further. "Sure, no problem, Mike." Looking back, he glanced quickly
towards Jeremy. "You comin'?"
     "Sure... nothing better to do." Jeremy grinned at Mike. "See
ya' later, Mike?"
     "Um... Jeremy, I was actually going to ask... you know the
cameras..."
     "Yeah, I know, they're everywhere," Jeremy called back with a
casual wave of his hand.
     "No, I..." But the door to the hotel was already closing, and
the rest of Mike's words were cut off.
     Erik looked sideways at Jeremy as they walked to the
elevators. "You know, you can't keep treating them like that."
     Jeremy didn't even turn. "Who like what?"
     "Mike and Mike. And Marc and Jay and all them. They're not
going to put up with it, you know..."
     "Oooh, I'm so scared." Jeremy smiled at Erik. It wasn't a nice
smile. "What's the worst they can do to me? Fire me?" The elevator
arrived with a low tone. Jeremy stepped in and held the door for
Trevor and Erik to come in.
     "Well... can't they?" Erik asked.
     "Hmmm... I guess. But it's not as if that would change
anything, anyway." Jeremy laughed. "I mean, can you imagine? Firing
me and telling me I can't see you ever again... as if you guys
would miss me. Or me you."
     "Yeah... I guess." Erik didn't sound very convinced.
     They rode together in silence for the rest of the elevator
trip, with Jeremy humming to himself occasionally. With a soft tone
the elevator arrived at their floor and the doors opened, revealing
Dan standing on the other side.
     "Hey, Dan," Trevor said. "Where've you been?"
     Dan's eyes widened ever so slightly when he saw them, and he
glanced furtively from one face to the other, as if searching for
something. After a long pause, he asked sharply, "Is Ashley with
you?"
     Trevor glanced at Erik. "Um... no, isn't he with you?"
     Dan seemed to physically deflate, but whether it was in relief
or frustration was not clear. "No..." Smiling thinly, he said, "So
what're you guys doing?"
     "Fucking photoshoot's been postponed," Erik said loudly as he
stepped out of the elevator. "We've got another five hours to sleep
in."
     "Oh... okay." Dan's eyes darted to Jeremy. A strange little
shiver seemed to pass over him. "Hey, Jer."
     "Dan... nice turtleneck." Playfully, Jeremy plucked at Dan's
sweater. "But it's a little warm outside, isn't it? Or is it just
you heating it up in here?"
     As Jeremy's hands lightly brushed Dan's neck, Dan hissed,
sounding shockingly like an angry snake. "Get your hands off!" he
snapped, knocking Jeremy's hands away.
     Jeremy stared, shocked, and took an instinctive step
backwards. "Wha... hey, Dan, I'm sorry, I didn't..."
     For a moment Dan stared at Jeremy so menacingly Trevor almost
stepped forward to keep him from striking out. Then Dan shook his
head and took a deep breath. Without looking up, he said, "I'm...
tired. I'll... I'll see you guys later."
     "Okay..." Trevor tried to smile. "But we're leaving by one...
Mike'll tell us exactly. You'll be back, what, in a couple hours?"
     Without acknowledging Trevor, and noticeably without
apologizing to Jeremy, Dan pushed past them roughly and into the
elevator. Trevor glanced from Erik to Jeremy, a rueful smile on his
face.
     "Sorry 'bout that, man..."
     But Jeremy waved it away. "Don't worry about it, man. He's
under a lot of stress... probably had a fight with Cindy or
something." Grinning, he said, "So, who wants to find Ashley and
beat him out of bed?"

*************

     When Ashley finally lifted his head, Jacob looked like he was
ready to bite his own bottom lip off, and Ashley had done nothing
further down than Jacob's stomach. Breathing in long, heaving gasps
Jacob looked up.
     "Ashley, what the..."
     "Shhh..." Ashley smiled slightly, resting a finger against
Jacob's mouth. "Just relax."
     "But you..."
     Reaching out, Ashley tweaked one of Jacob's nipples, one he'd
roughly chewed on a moment before. He knew it would be especially
sensitive, and the sight of Jacob's involuntary shiver sent a
thrill up his spine. "I said... RELAX."
     "But..."
     Looking back on it later, Ashley would never be able to say if
he did it to shut Jacob up, or if it was something he'd been
meaning to do the whole time. Whatever the reason, Ashley just
smiled impishly, lowered himself onto Jacob and took his entire
erection into his mouth.
     Ashley was a bit surprised at himself. He'd actually never
done this to Jacob, thinking it was still "too gay" for him to do.
Occasionally, when Jacob managed to push him to higher levels of
passion, he would reach down and jerk him off, but otherwise just
let Jacob minister to him. Now... with Jacob in his mouth, he found
himself suddenly at a loss.
     The effect on Jacob was instantaneous, if not utterly
predictible: with a loud gasp and a nearly incomprehensible moan,
he spread his legs wider to allow Ashley access, his whole body
going tense with expectation.
     'So... this is what it feels like....' Ashley thought as he
cautiously allowed his tongue to touch Jacob's penis, running it
experimentally along the tip. It didn't have much of a taste,
except for a slight salty tang, not at all like Shelli... Ashley
smiled to himself slightly as he wondered what Shelli would think
if she could see him now, giving another guy a blow job.
     Well, not technically... at least, not yet. Carefully,
hesitant and unsure of himself, he moved his head up, then down
again. Jacob squirmed under him, but it was a different kind of
squirming than a moment ago. This was the kind of movement... the
kind...
     (The kind of movement I make when he does this to me.)
     Instantly Ashley pulled away, shocked at his own revulsion. He
hadn't had any problem with Jacob doing it to him - none at all.
But now, to have this perspective on what it was like...
     Jacob swallowed, his throat so dry it made an audible clicking
sound, a wordless yet obviously questioning murmer on his lips. His
eyes weren't opened, but Ashley could see that they'd been squeezed
so tightly a few seconds ago that the edges were wet.
     A surge of affection ran through Ashley. This was Jacob...
     Reaching out, Ashley took Jacob into his hand again. Running
his thumb over the tip of Jacob's erection, he smiled to himself.
He joked all the time about the difference in size between him and
Jacob - they'd even measured each other in a bout of playful pre-
shower fooling around. Ashley came in at what he considered a cool
seven inches (Jacob insisted it was barely over six and three-
quarters), with a thickness that took up Jacob's entire hand.
Jacob, on the other hand, only came in at a bit over five and a
half inches, with almost the exact thickness to fit into a light
bulb socket (prompting many of Ashley's jokes).
     Of course, most times when Ashley and Jacob fooled around,
Ashley would sit back and let Jacob do his thing, while Jacob
jerked himself off. Since Ashley was often finished first - Jacob
was getting quite good at the whole sucking thing - he had the
ample opportunity to watch Jacob's masturbation techniques. His own
were simple and required ample lubrication - usually his own saliva
- because of how tight his skin was. Jacob, on the other hand, had
enough loose skin - a distinctly darker shade than the rest of his
body - to pleasure himself without it. He was also much rougher,
gripping his slender penis in a tight fist and jerking so hard it
looked at times as if he would tear it right off.
     Ashley used this information now, while spicing it up with
some of his own techniques. He remembered how Shelli gave him his
first hand job - he'd been too excited at first to last very long,
but part of the appeal was someone who didn't know his little
methods doing something completely different. Now, he added a
little more saliva to his hands and rubbed roughly at the tip,
which was growing dark red. Jacob's gasping breaths got ever more
rapid, and soft mewing sounds were escaping his parted lips.
     With an evil grin that Jacob didn't see, Ashley lowered his
mouth onto Jacob again, sucking as hard as he could. On impulse, he
grabbed Jacob's balls again and squeezed them, ever so slowly
increasing the pressure.
     Jacob arched his back, hands grappling blindly at the thin
hotel bedsheets. Ashley didn't let up, though, moving his head up
and down as rhythmically as he could, attacking the slit at the top
with his tongue, his other hand coming together into a tightening
fist around Jacob's balls. Jacob's breathing came in sharp, ragged
gasps and wordless moans.
     Then, suddenly and rather violently, Ashley's mouth was full
of a thick, bitter fluid. Immediately he pulled back, spitting the
stuff out onto the carpeted floor, but didn't let go of his handle
on Jacob's testicles. In fact, he squeezed a bit harder as Jacob's
orgasm continued.
     "Oh... GOD... ASHLEY..." Jacob gasped, his voice strained and
high pitched. "GOD... Ashley... oh, Ash, I love you..."
     Shocked, Ashley released his hold on Jacob, unsure if he heard
correctly. Staring at Jacob, he asked, incredulous, "WHAT did you
say?"
     "Huh?" Jacob, overcome by post-orgasmic feelings, looked up
groggily. "What?"
     "What did you just say?" Ashley asked, insistent. "Did you
just say... you... LOVE me?"
     Jacob hesitated, staring at Ashley, not saying anything, but
Ashley saw all he needed in that look.
     Ashley burst out laughing. "You're kidding, right?" Shaking
his head, Ashley picked up his towel. "'LOVE ME'? Oh, God, that's
rich..."
     Jacob stared at Ashley, his eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
     Ashley chuckled. "No, just..." He trailed off, still chuckling
to himself as he stood up. "I'm taking a shower, cool?"
     Jacob watched him, still laying down on the bed, saying
nothing. Ashley stepped over him to the bathroom, but turned back
before closing the door.
     "Oh... and when I get out, it's my turn, okay?" Without
waiting for an answer, Ashley closed the door. A moment later the
shower was turned on.


_____________________________________
Okay, I know I've lost a bunch of readers over some of my more
radical plot developments. And, I have no doubt, I will lose more
as I experiment even more. I can accept that. However - for those
of you who have been missing me - my apologies. I currently have
about four chapters fully written, and am sending them as I get
online access. (Oh, and incidentally - those of you who have
received preview-versions of this chapter will notice that I have
changed it significantly. Heh... I warned you...) And one last note
- anyone who has gone through the last couple of chapters will have
noticed the rather obvious editing blunders in format and
conversion style... unfortunately, at this point, there is nothing
to be done about it. I will try and fix them on my web site when I
finally start updating it again. -- Kai Wailbone
wailbone@excite.com

P.S. - The next chapter should be out by the end of the month. But,
as always, even I don't know which MONTH....
____________________________________
Coming soon... (soon being a relative term)
Second Toughest in the Infants
Chapter 10 - There is a sound