Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 03:36:27 EDT
From: LaelSt@aol.com
Subject: Near Collision: Chapter 3

Usual disclaimers concerning who should read what and whether or not it is
legal for you to do so, so forth and so on. This is a work of fiction and
should be treated as such.


"Near Collision"
                    By Lael Stalnaker


Chapter 3: Establishing Ground Rules

  Amazement, awe, disbelief and a slight dose of fear
coursed through Skyler. He needed time to think. It
was very hard to do with Bryce/Eros sitting there. His
very presence was a distraction to end all
distractions. To help put some kind of order on his
mind, he first made an arbitrary decision concerning
what to call this self-professed god. Bryce Jackson
was the name he first gave Skyler, so Bryce would be
how he thought of him. One thing settled, half a
million more to go!

Skyler was at that halfway point of believing Bryce,
but still felt that he needed more substantial proof
than mere words or coincidence. This was the crux of
his problem with everything so far. Dreams not
withstanding, nothing really pointed to verifying
Bryce's story. He could have easily guessed that he
was wondering who he was earlier. Yes, this was the
starting point. Everything else depended on proof.

"Bryce do you understand why what you say has me
confused and not able to make a decision concerning
you? I need proof. It is just the way things are,"
asked Skyler.

"What proof do you require? What will it take to
convince you of my authenticity? Name whatever means
that will set your soul at ease with my words and
being. If you set the test, then you cannot claim
foul," responded Bryce.

  Skyler needed to think this through clearly. He
stared down at his hands, which had clenched into
fists in his lap. What test could he possibly give
that would completely convince himself of all of this.
He wanted desperately to believe Bryce. The
implications if it were true were staggering. The
implications if Bryce were lying just as staggering.
How does one prove that they are really a mythical
being that, according to some legends, was the
strongest entity to ever exist? And why would such an
entity need his help at all? From his own studies,
Skyler knew that Eros was responsible for most of the
stories in the Greek world, directly and indirectly.

  As Skyler wended his way through the complexities of
the problem before him, a horrified realization struck
him. Proof might not matter if the actual problem was
his own sanity. If he wanted to believe this person
enough, he would accept *whatever* happened as the
proof required. Maybe all of this was figment of his
own deranged and lonely imagination. Panic began to
creep through him. Skyler looked up from his lap and
stared at Bryce. Bryce was nodding his head, as if he
heard all the thoughts that ran amuck through Skyler's
head. Skyler purposely avoided looking into Bryce's
eyes. He didn't think he could resist them if he did.

 Skyler turned his attention inward again. It boiled
down to faith in him self. It was going to have to be.
He knew him self to be sane. He knew that he would
drive himself insane if he tried to follow all the
trails of logic about this. Besides, he was being
offered an end to loneliness. That would be worth the
possibility of craziness to him. Skyler decided to put
aside the sanity issue and focus on proof.

  'Proof, proof,' kept running through his head. What
would prove the truth about this? He mind shrank from
the only answer that he could come up with. He just
did not want to go there. If the other problem about
his sanity were true, this form of proof was hideous
in how wrong it was to ask for it. But, after the
minutes dragged by without any other option presenting
itself, Skyler looked back at Bryce again. Bryce's
eyebrow went up and a look of respect, chagrin and
sadness was readable there.

"I know of only one way that what you say could be
proven true. I... I just don't dare ask it," Skyler's
voice trailed off.

"You know the lore of old, the tales have more than a
passing truth to them in certain matters. I know the
test you would have me pass. Even now, I can do such.
But, in order to do this I must have an oath from you.
If this is the proof that you require of me for the
peace of your mind and soul, then swear to me that you
will speak to none of my true being. None may know
from your lips that I am Eros," replied Bryce with a
stern countenance.

"What about my twin? I tell him everything. He knows
me too well. If I try to hide something from him, he
will pursue it until he learns whatever I am hiding
from him. Please, just him?" begged Skyler.

"None may know by your lips. It is the Law, and even I
am bound by it. I did not tell you who I was, you told
me. You named me. I am sorry, my friend, but I must
ask for this. I learned much about you this day as we
spoke. I know the truth of your heart, mind and soul.
You will keep your word if it is given. Else, I must
leave and never return to you. I know of your twin,
from you. While he too seems a good person, the rule
must be kept. It must be this way. My apologies,"
stated Bryce.

  Skyler sat in shock for a moment, all thoughts of
proof driven temporarily from his mind. It was
unthinkable that he keep something from his brother.
They shared everything. There had never been any
secrets from each other. He had thought that there
never would be. What should he do? The question
clanged through his head like a lead pipe against a
steel beam. The very idea was bitter.

  A thought struck him and so he said, "And if Ethan
should learn of this on his own? Without my saying or
implying anything?" asked Skyler.

"The oath still binds. You may not speak of it to him.
You may neither confirm nor deny his questions or
answers concerning my true state of being. Of course
he will know of me, but not as Eros. To him I will be
only your newfound love. Even should he state clearly
who I am, the oath holds. You must not speak of it. It
is not the way I would have it, but simply as it must
be by celestial Law. It pains me to ask it."

  Bryce rose from the couch and went to Skyler's side.
He grasped Skyler's hands gently and drew him to his
feet. He then placed one of Skyler's hands on his
breast and placed his own over Skyler's heart. The
other hand held onto Skyler's with a certain amount of
empathy and tenderness. He gazed into Skyler's eyes.
The light was shining behind the pupils again.

"Speak your vow," requested Bryce.

"I swear to never speak of your true nature," said
Skyler, barely above a whisper again.

  A surge of energy shot through them both. They began
to glow with a soft, pale luminescence. As the minutes
passed, the glow seemed to be absorbed by their
bodies. Skyler felt more alive than he had in months.
His skin tingled; his sense of inner peace expanded
and his troubled mind grew still. The sheer beauty of
the moment imbedded itself into his being.

  Bryce leaned forward and kissed Skyler softly on the
lips. The electrical tingle practically sparked off of
them. The wave of vertigo washed through Skyler again,
but was very different than the earlier episodes. It
was more like a mini orgasm that was all through him
rather than concentrated on just his pubic area. Not
that he hadn't gotten another enormous erection. He
had now noticed that Bryce's mere touch elicited the
reaction from his body. It just felt like his whole
self was alive with the wave of feeling.

********

  Bryce released his hold on Skyler and gently pushed
him back into the armchair. He bent down and took
another long kiss from Skyler's very willing mouth. He
then walked briefly into the kitchen and came back. In
his hand was the largest knife that the kitchen had.
Skyler almost sprang to his feet in fear. He knew what
was coming and was just opening his mouth to reject
the need for it. Bryce simply smiled and held up his
free hand. Skyler sank back into his chair, stunned.

  Bryce knelt at Skyler's feet and took his hand. He
ran Skyler's finger lightly along the knife's edge to
prove the reality of it. A thin thread of blood rose
in the knife's wake. Skyler winced. The knife was
absolutely real. Bryce then took that hand and held it
over his own. He rested the knife blade against his
chest over his heart. He tilted the angle a little to
miss his ribs and then pulled it toward himself
sharply, drawing Skyler's hand with him. His face
crinkled with pain. Bright red blood flowed from the
wound as he withdrew the blade. It fountained briefly
after the knife was completely withdrawn. Skyler
nearly screamed with horror at the sight. Almost
immediately, the blood flow stopped. Skyler watched in
fascination as the wound closed before his eyes and
sealed without a flaw. There would be no scar from
this demonstration.

"There is the proof that you required, though you
courteously did not ask it. I am immortal. No mortal
made thing can kill me nor any naturally occurring
thing either. However, I feel the pain as keenly as
any mortal would. Does this suffice for the proof
requested?" asked Bryce. The pain had left his face
and only the bloodstained shirt and knife remained as
evidence that it had ever happened. He set the knife
carefully on the coffee table.

  Skyler nodded. It was true. This was Eros. He no
longer held any doubts about the reality of the being
kneeling before him. Awe swept through him. The myths
were true, the tales held real meaning rather than
being simple teaching stories. He shook his head in
wonder. Then a slight frown creased his brow.

"Why me? Why choose me of all on earth?" asked Skyler.

"Hard question to answer fully. You know the tales.
You focused on me in them. Your heart called to me.
All of these things and yet none of them. Random
chance had its hand as well."

  Skyler nodded slowly, continuing to think at a
furious pace. He sorted out the emotions surging
through him. Then he smiled and leaned forward. He
placed a tender kiss on Bryce's lips. The tingle was
still there. The slightest physical contact between
them caused it. Skyler let out a small giggle. The
tingling kind of tickled. He was still delighted
though. The full impact of all of this had yet to hit
Skyler.

"Well, I think we need to establish some agreements
between us. This is awkward. I mean what did you mean
by 'bonding yourself to me physically'? And I want
this straight from the beginning, I don't share!"
stated Skyler emphatically.

"Physical bonding means just that. I am fully here for
you alone. Outside of your presence, I normally choose
to only manifest completely in dreams," Bryce coughed
delicately as he said that. "I have now chosen you as
the person that will manifest my physical form on this
plane. You have but to think of me and I will be here
in flesh form. The depths of your soul fashioned this
appearance," answered Bryce with a contented smile.
"It has been a long time since I have taken on a
physical form. I will not soon relinquish it."

"Just how am I supposed to help you finds your lost
ones? They could be anywhere. They may not even be in
corporeal forms."

"That I do not know. It may be that by your anchoring
me here, I will attraction the attention of the
others. This is my hope. We scattered so long ago that
I have heard only whispers of their existence. It may
be that I am the last. My heart tells me that this
cannot be true," replied Bryce.

"All right, I can accept that. Here are some
conditions that I feel are necessary for my own
sanity. First, if we are bond together as you say, I
cannot accept you being with another physically,"
started Skyler fiercely. "It would tear me apart.
Second, I must be able to continue my own life and the
things that I want to do. I am too close to finishing
my schoolwork to just drop it. It will not take me
long to finish. Once that is done, I can devote all
the time you need to search, wherever that may take
us. Third, you are never, I repeat, never to use your
power to compel me without my permission. This means
stay out of my head unless invited!"

  Skyler paused. He realized that he was already under
Bryce's power. He knew that he already loved him. It
made him wonder just how much of it was due to the
handsome god's power and how much was due to natural
events. He would have to sort this out quickly. He
hoped that it was not any of Bryce's doing. He had no
way of knowing for sure. Bryce's power could be very
abstract, he was sure.

*******

  Bryce chewed on what Skyler had declared for a
moment. The words were almost brutal in some ways.
However, he needed Skyler to accept him and this
seemed to be the only way that this was going to
happen. So be it. He nodded acceptance of the terms.
He smiled at Skyler. Skyler's face seemed to glow from
within as he saw Bryce's smile. Pure happiness lifted
many of the creases from his forehead that his
worrying had created. Part of the reason for Bryce's
smile was the knowledge that he, Eros, was not immune
to his own power. He already loved this mortal. The
first one in many long centuries to capture his heart.

  Bryce took one of Skyler's hands back into his own
and lifted it to his lips. The same fire as before ran
along both of their senses. Even Bryce felt it. He
raised an eyebrow at Skyler. Skyler couldn't help but
smile in return. Bryce then proceeded to kiss each
fingertip in its turn. The sensation grew within them
both with each single contact of skin to skin. At
last, Bryce left off kissing the tips and got to his
feet. Longing radiated from his very stance. Skyler
rose from the chair as if iron pulled to magnet.

  Abruptly, he placed a hand in the center of Bryce's
perfect chest and pushed. Bryce looked stunned and
confused as Skyler waved a finger under his nose. To
soften the blow, Skyler let loose his own killer
smile. A twinkle in his eye said that he was not
angry, but the mock frown on his face implied it.

"How soon we forget rule 3? No compelling me without
permission? That was most certainly compelling,
mister!" admonished Skyler. "Let's take this a bit
slower, shall we?"

  Bryce was even more confused now. Maybe he had not
been clear enough about what else the bonding
entailed. He began to say something to that effect
when Skyler placed a finger against Bryce's lips and
shushed him gently. The tingle on Bryce's skin was now
almost a fire raging through his body. He knew that it
had to be the same for Skyler. But why the resistance?

  Skyler took Bryce's hand and drew him over to the
couch. He then pulled him down onto it so that they
were now sitting next to each other. He smiled
reassurance as he again silenced Bryce as he began to
try and speak again. He got an incredibly wicked smile
on his face and then got back up. Skyler went over to
the entertainment center and rummaged through the
videotapes there. With a laugh of delight, he found
the one he wanted. He popped it into the VCR and came
back to the couch.

"I have a small bit of revenge to exact from you, my
fine pretty!" Skyler whispered in Bryce's ear.

"Huh?" responded the totally puzzled Bryce.

"First you, oh great god of love, leave me in the
lurch for 19 months without a date! Then you show up
and start giving me some of the most... 'erotic'
dreams I have ever had. Then you have the balls to
think that I am just going to give myself to you
without so much as a 'Do ya wanna?' Think again
buster! I thought I would give you a taste of how
you're portrayed in the modern world. This is really
your first look at us since ancient times, right?"

"For the most part, yes. I have not truly taken a look
at all of the world's new wonders. I understand much
of what I see though," confirmed Bryce.

"Well, sit back and relax. I have a treat for you."
Skyler said with a definite sound of delight to his
voice.

********

  Skyler turned on the TV and hit play on the VCR. He
then snuggled up to Bryce and laid his head on Bryce's
shoulder. The contact had its usual effect and neither
man paid to much attention to it now. It had quickly
become a natural part of their consciousness. Bryce
glanced at Skyler as the opening title hit the screen.
A very slight frown formed. Skyler paid it no
attention and began to fast forward to the place on
the tape that he wanted.

  Skyler giggled as the first episode of 'Hercules'
that had 'Cupid' in it played. He had been taping the
series for a while now and thought it was absolutely
hilarious. With his background so strongly in Greek
mythology, the series was an absolute delight. He
forgave the multitude of errors on the behalf of
creative expression. As Bryce watched, an expression
of distaste grew over his face. Skyler laughed so hard
that he couldn't breathe.

  Then, to make sure his point was made, he played an
episode of 'Xena' that also featured 'Cupid'. His
laughter grew louder and louder as Bryce's
disgruntlement increased. Finally, Bryce covered
Skyler's mouth with his hand and shushed him. His eyes
went to the ceiling as he shook his head. It was 3 in
the morning and Skyler had been as loud as any herd of
elephants scenting a fire. Skyler choked back his
laughter and buried his face in Bryce's side to muffle
the last of it. He really didn't need the neighbor's
getting in an uproar.

  Bryce leaned back into the couch and stared at
Skyler. A deep frown creased his brow. At last he
shook his head and began to laugh softly. It had a
faint hint of bells under the sound. When he finally
subsided, Skyler looked him dead in the eye.

"Now you know what the general population of the U.S.
sees you as. That or a really chubby little tike with
a nasty aim using a bow and arrow. Get my point yet?"
inquired Skyler. Bryce nodded and shifted himself off
of the couch. He stood in front Skyler, looking down
into his eyes.

"I think so. The thing that offends me most was those
awful wings that they had on him. Do they really look
that bad?" asked Bryce.

  While he had been speaking, Skyler's eyes had never
left his. He took a step back and let Skyler see him
as he was now. Skyler's eyes grew wide at the sight
before him. Bryce's hair had lengthened to his
shoulders and curled in soft waves. It was also
several shades darker, approaching black. His tan had
gained an olive undertone. A short linen kilt of the
purest white imaginable was secured to his waist by a
beautiful golden belt. It reached to about an inch or
two above his knees. Simple sandals adorned his feet.
His body retained much of the same perfection as it
had had before. And the wings! Glorious wings that
would have done any swan proud. They were a far better
match to his body than any movie effects could ever
manage. The arch of them was at least six inches above
the crown of his head. As Skyler looked on, stunned
into silence, Eros extended those marvelous wings
slightly. They reached either wall and were still not
fully extended. An iridescent luminescence glowed
forth from those wings, lighting Eros with a halo that
surrounded his entire body, highlighting his sexuality
and attractiveness.

 Skyler snapped his jaw shut audibly. He arose from
the couch in what seemed like slow motion. This being
in front of him took his breath away. A silent
question glimmered in his eyes as he approached the
true form of Eros. Eros smiled and gave a slight nod.
He cupped his magnificent wings, gathering Skyler to
him. The soft, downy feathers caressed Skyler's face
where they glided along his skin. A shiver went
through his body with the sheer sensuousness of it.
Skyler's hands ran along the wings in wonder. The
strength of them could not but impress him.

  He now understood the profound difference between
Bryce and Eros. This was the embodiment of passion.
This entity was what fueled the fires of love and
giving. Skyler's heart ached to near bursting as he
realized just who had chosen to be with him. Time lost
all meaning in this presence. Skyler reached up and
placed his arms around Eros' neck. Eros met Skyler's
lips with his own. The night ignited with the force of
their wakening to each other. Brilliant light streamed
off of their lip-locked forms. The world faded away.

*******

  Skyler's consciousness surged back up to the surface
of his mind. He realized that Eros had broken off the
kiss. His head swam with the images and sensations
that the contact with Eros had awakened. That intense
vertigo was back. The room seemed to spin in time to
his pounding heart. It seemed that another story could
now be verified. No mortal could truly survive the
natural form of a god! He knew intuitively that Eros
had stopped just short of his real material form. All
of the stories indicated that a mortal would burn to
ashes at just the sight. It had almost happened now
from their intimate contact. Skyler knew that Eros had
somehow protected him, but was not sure how.

  Eros sighed. He released Skyler's over-stimulated
form and gently laid him onto the soft fabric of the
couch. He desperately wanted to ravish and love the
mortal in his arms. He came to a decision that he knew
that neither of them would be entirely happy with.
With the barest of thoughts, the wings faded away from
sight and his hair lightened again. Bryce continued to
hold Skyler tightly. When Skyler finally showed signs
of recovering himself, Bryce laid a finger on Skyler's
lips to prevent any words.

"My love, rest a moment. I need to explain something
before your heart becomes set on something that we are
not prepared for. You know the story of Semele and
Zeus, do you not? Hera tricked Semele into asking Zeus
to appear to her in the form that he appears to Hera.
Hera knew what would come of such a request. Zeus
tried to persuade Semele that this was not a thing to
be desired. Yet, Hera's words echoed through her and
still she insisted. Stricken with grief, Zeus gave
into Semele's demand. That night he appeared to Semele
in his full Olympian glory. The sight of him burned
away her mortal body.

"There is more to the tale, but that is the relevant
part. It seems that the Law has not changed with the
ages. I cannot show myself in full form. Even this
close was nearly your undoing. I took a foolish risk
with your life, my newly found beloved. We cannot do
this again until I find a way to inure you against the
consequences. Only in the Bryce form may we meet body
to body without the demand of your life as payment.
Please tell me that you can accept this. I will search
for the way out of this damnable dilemma. Can you
accept this as it must be for now?" Bryce asked, his
heart in his voice.

"Absolutely! I can wait, however long it will take.
Just make sure you get it right!" said Skyler once he
was actually able to speak again.
"I would not risk you now that I have you. You do
understand the second implication from Semele's story,
do you not?" asked Bryce with a leer.

  Skyler's forehead creased again as he ran through
the story again in his mind. A smile crept over his
face when he reached the conclusion that Bryce
apparently wanted him to find. Skyler ran his eyes
over Bryce's body appreciatively. He was back in the
shorts and minus the bloody shirt. Skyler glanced over
at the coffee table and shuddered. The bloodstained
knife still lay there.

  Bryce followed Skyler's gaze and frowned. The knife
rose from the table and floated toward the kitchen.
Skyler could hear the faucet at the sink turn on. The
sound changed for a moment and then he heard the clink
of the blade coming to rest in the dishwasher. Thump!
The dishwasher shut its self. Skyler turned his head
back to Bryce with a frown.

"Why did you do that?" asked Skyler

"Is there another way I could have done that without
leaving your enticing arms?" laughed Bryce. "Besides,
that was more impressive than simply making it vanish
and reappear in its proper place, clean and seemingly
unused, was it not?"

"Show off!" mumbled Skyler.

"Not so! Now is the time to show off I believe."
Retorted Bryce.

*******

  Skyler yelped as Bryce effortlessly picked him up
off of the couch. His arms and chest barely showed any
change in the muscles as Bryce carried him down the
hall. Bryce stopped in mid-stride and began examining
the pictures and photo portraits that lined the hall
from nearly floor to ceiling. Many of them were of
Skyler and Ethan together, ranging from babyhood
through to the present. In some respects, the twins
had been lucky that they were already 18 when their
parents had been killed. The loss was still fresh and
painful, but at the least, they had not had to deal
with living with someone else and their rules. Most of
the pictures at eye level showed the boys with their
parents. Those on the lowest levels were the more
current and those near the ceiling were the oldest, of
the twins alone.

  Bryce examined each photo as if it were a
masterpiece in photography. He made no comment but
continued leisurely down the line, Skyler still
ensconced in his arms. He meticulously gave each photo
his attention. Skyler did not know how he felt about
being so easily held. When they reached the end of the
hall, Bryce turned around and began the same scrutiny
of the other wall. Skyler finally had enough and
thumped Bryce on the shoulder with the flat of his
palm. Bryce looked down from a picture of the twins
when they were about 3 and looked at Skyler.

"Either set me down and look at pictures, or let's get
moving. This is making me nervous. I have no idea if
your arms are going to give and I'm gonna land on my
ass!" Skyler explained.

  With a laugh, Bryce left off with his picture gazing
and went down the hall to the first door he came to.
Skyler nodded and Bryce pushed it open all the way
with the edge of his foot. As he crossed the threshold
with Skyler in his arms, the light by the bed popped
on. He stopped near the bed and turned, looking around
the room.

  There were only 5 pieces in the small space. All
were black lacquer, Oriental motif. A night table, an
armoire, an exquisite red satin cushioned chair, a
dresser with mirror and the bed itself completed the
set. The walls were covered with a variety of big
cats, jaguars and tigers being the most prominent.
They took on many forms, some being Japanese painted
scrolls, and some lithographs by Schimmel, even some
framed pages from National Geographic. They all
blended together. Luxuriant and healthy ivies hung in
each corner of the room. A few potted palms and
elephant-ear plants stood below the ivy. The plants
gave just the right amount of life to the room. The
black sheet was still hooked above the window, but in
such a way that it looked more like a window treatment
rather than a spur of the moment stopgap.

  Bryce glanced at a photo that was the sole object on
the dresser. Skyler blushed and swung his arm at the
frame, trying to tip it over. The wild swing missed by
more than a foot. Bryce grinned and walked them both
over to the dresser for a better look. It showed a
blond man in about his early 20's with his arms
wrapped around Skyler. He was handsome in the
outdoorsy way that many surfers have. His body was
well developed and his tan was a match for Bryce's
own. Skyler began to really struggle in Bryce's arms
now. Tears of frustration and anger were gathering in
his eyes.

"An old love?" inquired Bryce, ignoring Skyler's
frantic squirming. Skyler gave up and buried his face
in Bryce's chest. His sobs were muffled and racked his
entire body. His whole body went limp as his grief
finally poured out of his soul and was cleansed away
by the warm nearness of his new love. The poison that
had been festering within Skyler lost its hold on him
and the relief was intense.

  Finally he lifted his face from Bryce's chest and
glared up at him. His eyes were now red rimmed.
Bryce's chest was soaked in Skyler's tears now. As
Skyler watched, they sank into the silky skin. They
didn't evaporate: they actually melted into Bryce.
Bryce went expressionless for a moment and then a red
gleam came into his eyes. The gleam built into a
venomous red light that totally consumed the normal
brown color. Skyler could feel Bryce's body heating up
as the red light grew.

"He did this to you? He purposely captured your heart,
took what he wanted from you and then threw away all
with a smirk?" roared Bryce. The sound hurt Skyler's
ears. He could do nothing but sadly nod his head in
confirmation. Bryce's body began to shudder with rage.
Then, just as Skyler thought that the anger could no
longer be contained, Bryce shut it down.

"This is not the time or place to rectify this wrong
that was done to you. Now I understand your reluctance
to accept me, in any way or form. Know this, I will
never put you aside without reason or cause."

 Skyler nodded his head again, this time with a small
smile. Bryce nodded once sharply and turned his back
on the dresser. As he walked back toward the bed, the
picture frame fell flat face down. Once he reached the
foot of the bed, Bryce stopped. He winked down at
Skyler and nodded at the bed with an eyebrow raised.
Skyler glanced down and then did a double take. It had
changed slightly, well a bit more than slightly.

  The main frame of the bed was the same, but
everything on it had changed dramatically. Instead of
the rather plain comforter and sheet set, it now had a
shimmering red satin embroidered bedspread. The
embroidery pattern was of a jaguar done in beautiful
reds, tans, and black. The sheets and pillowcases had
changed to an incredible looking red silk. On the
nightstand next to the bed was a small square of red
silk, folded into a triangle. The small digital alarm
clock now read 4:00am.

*******

  Skyler found him self tossed into the air. He almost
panicked, but then realized that he was barely
drifting down toward the bed. Somehow, without any
outward change, his body was acting as if it had more
surface space displacing the air. When he landed, all
his clothes just fell off of him. He gaped down at his
exposed body. His clothes were lying around him, whole
and unharmed. They just weren't on him any more.
Skyler glanced up at Bryce and did another double
take.

  Bryce was standing by the bed, just watching Skyler.
His clothes began to fall away. They seemed to be
simply phasing through him and then reintegrating once
they were clear of his body. Skyler finally got the
chance to really inspect Bryce up close and in his
altogether. He liked what he saw very much. He started
at Bryce's feet and worked his way up the body of his
new love.

  Bryce's feet were maybe a size 12 and very wide.
Skyler knew that the wideness was common to people who
went barefoot a lot. Then his eyes trailed up the
legs. Bryce's calves were hairless and smooth. The
shape was perfect. Definitely not like a lot of guys.
Skyler laughed softly to himself as he recalled
Ethan's name for guys with hardly any muscle to their
calves: runaway sticks! He could see each muscle
clearly. Bryce's thighs were also very well muscled
with excellent definition. Skyler's breath caught in
his throat as he allowed himself to finally notice the
package that Bryce sported.

  It was 8 1/2 inches and hard as steel. The
circumference was around 3 inches. Skyler was startled
when he realized that Bryce was circumcised. It
puzzled him because he knew that the ancient Greeks
did not have that custom. He'd ask about it later.
Bryce's scrotum had a slight tracing of brownish hair
and was well proportioned to the rest of him. Skyler's
mouth went dry at the sight of Bryce's obvious
erection. He longed to get his mouth around the
masterpiece that pointed at the ceiling.

  Reluctantly, Skyler continued his visual journey up
Bryce's body. He could just make out the hipbones
where they accented the washboard stomach. Bryce's
bellybutton was an innie. Each rib could be counted,
but he didn't have an underfed look. His pecs were
like solid stone. Skyler knew this from his earlier
contact with them as Bryce had carried him around. The
biceps were of medium width and maximum strength.
Finally, Skyler reached Bryce's face.

  The jaw was square without any trace of facial hair
at all. The cheekbones were high and clear. The most
wonderful straight nose with just the slightest up
turn at the tip adorned the space above Bryce's
sensuous lips. Deep brown eyes, with tiny green flecks
near the center, inspected Skyler's prone form with
deliberate slowness and enjoyment. The eyebrows arched
over his eyelids in a special splendor all their own.
His brownish hair fell in waves nearly to his strong
shoulders. From head to foot, a deep golden brown tan
with a faint olive cast covered this Renaissance
master's perfect ideal of a sculpture model.

  As Skyler's appreciative scan came to a close, their
eyes locked. The sexual tension exploded through the
room. Skyler could feel himself get even more rigid.
He hadn't thought that was possible. A slow smile
broke over Bryce's face. He knelt at the side of the
bed and cupped his hands on either side of Skyler's
face. He leaned forward and kissed Skyler fully and
completely. Skyler lost himself in that kiss. He could
feel his mind whirl under the assault of electrical
tingles that surged through his languid form.

  Bryce ended the kiss with a lingering probe of his
tongue into Skyler's mouth. He drew back slightly, as
if to assess the result of his tongue play. Then he
ran his hands down Skyler's face slowly, onto to the
sides of his neck and then onto his chest. He ran his
fingers lightly over Skyler's nipples until they
became stiff and erect. Once this happened, he bent
forward again. Bryce's tongue flicked out and brushed
the nearer erect nipple. Skyler's back arched as the
next wave of sensation flooded through him. Teeth
rasped gently against the barely giving skin of and
around the nipple in question.

  A low moan emerged from Skyler's throat. Bryce then
half climbed onto the bed and gave the other side the
same treatment. Skyler let his hands reach up and cup
Bryce's bubble butt. He trailed them up and down
reaching as high as Bryce's lower back and as low as
the back of Bryce's thighs. His moans were now
beginning to come faster as Bryce alternated between
nipples, giving each equal and loving attention. He
was now completely on the bed with Skyler.

  Skyler put one hand onto Bryce's head and entangled
it into the silky soft hair without actually gripping.
The other hand now traveled around to the front and
gripped the warmth of rigid rod that was so enticingly
close now. He began to slowly stroke, barely clasping
the object of his desire and fantasies. Bryce trailed
his tongue down Skyler's chest toward his stomach.
Skyler could swear that he felt every bump of taste
buds on Bryce's tongue. At Skyler's sternum, Bryce
stopped for a moment and sucked in a small part of the
skin. Gripping ever so slightly with his teeth, he
applied more and more suction. He stopped just short
of actual physical pain. A hickey rapidly formed in
the wake of his releasing the skin. Skyler's moans
grew just a bit louder.

  Bryce swung a leg over Skyler's head and now
straddled himself over Skyler's shaking body. Skyler
could feel the mattress sink slightly to either side
of his head. His nose was now inches from Bryce's love
handle, which he still had a grip on. Eagerly, he
tilted that shaft toward his mouth. He flicked out his
tongue just as he felt Bryce grasp his erection and
enfold it into his hot and slick mouth. The shaft in
his hand throbbed in time with Bryce's heartbeat. The
taste was vaguely like honey, but without cloying
sweetness. He licked generously up and down.

  Bryce, meanwhile, was leisurely moving his mouth up
and down Skyler's shaft. Suddenly, he pushed down in
one smooth motion and took Skyler all the way down his
throat. He held himself there a moment and then came
back up as slowly as he had gone down. He continued
with the up and down motion until Skyler squirmed.
Skyler couldn't believe how the close tightness
surrounding him kept going and going. He left off with
his own licking and pulled Bryce down closer to him.

  He fastened his lips to the area between Bryce's
thigh and groan. His hands griped Bryce's ass
fiercely. He sucked hard and fast. The vacuum
apparently met with Bryce's approval, judging by the
moaning that vibrated around his totally engulfed
cock. After switching sides for a while, Skyler left
off and sucked Bryce into his mouth. The angle of
their bodies was slightly off and he almost choked as
the entire cock slid straight down his throat without
pause. Fighting down the gag reflex, Skyler let it
soak for a bit and then changed the grip of his hands.

  He began to lift Bryce was if doing bench-presses.
The heels of his palms rested perfectly onto Bryce's
hipbones. As he pushed upward, the cock buried deep in
his throat slid out. As it neared the front of his
mouth, he swirled his tongue around the tip and then
lowered Bryce back down onto him. The massive cock
slid smoothly and without trouble, this time, back
into the depths of his straining throat. Over and over
he lifted Bryce and then released him to gravity in a
controlled fall. Both men were now making involuntary
guttural moans and growls deep in their throats.

  Just when Skyler thought he was going to loose
control of himself, Bryce backed off. He slowly pried
himself out of Skyler's mouth. He was now sitting with
Skyler's head between his thighs. Bryce smiled down at
the upturned face. Sweat covered both of their bodies
in a solid liquid sheen. Skyler turned his face and
licked the inside of Bryce's thigh. The salty sweat
made an interesting taste. A shudder ran through Bryce
as Skyler licked clean the insides of both thighs
until all the sweat was gone.

  Bryce levered himself onto his heels and did a hop
to the side. Once he was clear of Skyler and could
risk moving with harming him, he brought himself to a
straddling position over Skyler's crotch. Bryce
grinned down as Skyler's eyes widened with
comprehension. Bryce reached for the sw3atch of silk
that lay on the night table. Once he had it, he kept
himself poised over Skyler's raging hard on and
preceded to slide the silk up and down that blood
engorged rod. The sensation caused Skyler to arch his
back again in a half attempt to find his way into
Bryce. His eyes were transfixed to the sight of Bryce
hovering over his dick.

Amazingly, when Bryce lifted away the silk, Skyler
could now see that his dick was slick looking. It
still felt like the silk was firmly enshrouding his
manhood. Yet, his eyes told him that a wet substance
now coated him. Bryce leaned forward and placed his
lips over Skyler's right ear. After nibbling for a few
minutes, he whispered into Skyler's ear as he impaled
himself on Skyler's cock,

"Even in this form I still have a trick or three!"

  Skyler was utterly and completely incapable of
speech as he watched Bryce lean back up. Bryce gave a
single slight wince as he smoothly lowered himself
onto Skyler without pause. When he was finished, his
ass was resting firmly on Skyler's crotch, while
somehow maintaining his balance on the balls of his
feet with his fingertips barely grazing Skyler's
chest.  Bryce's cock was tight against his body,
resting nearly on top of his bellybutton. Skyler could
tell that Bryce was hard to the point of near pain.
Skyler was stunned at how effortless Bryce had made
this incredible feat look.

  Bryce then gave Skyler the workout of his life. He
reached down past his ass and encircled the base of
Skyler's cock with his fingers. Then he began to lift
himself up with his thighs. As his body traveled up,
so did his fingers. He then let gravity push him back
down, hard and fast. Skyler's shaft slammed back into
Bryce's ass with enough force to cause both of them to
bounce on the bed. Bryce planted his free hand in the
center of Skyler's chest and used it to keep his
balance as he brutally fucked himself using Skyler's
rock hard cock. His pace increased and decreased at
random. The slight lift of the bed bouncing helped
keep the rhythm going. Skyler was mesmerized at the
sight of his 8 inches slamming in and out of Bryce. He
reached up and gripped Bryce's dick in his right hand.

  Bryce increased the tempo of motion once Skyler had
a firm grip on his jutting cock. Skyler let Bryce's
motion cause his hand to slip up and down the shaft.
With a sudden grin, he let go and grabbed for the
swatch of silk lying next to them on the bed. He
quickly re-encircled Bryce and let it slide up and
down a few times. Bryce threw back his head and
moaned. Skyler tossed the silk aside and grabbed
Bryce's now slick tool. It slipped easily between his
clenching fingers and again Bryce's tempo upped
itself.

  Skyler could feel the pressure building in his nuts
and knew that Bryce couldn't be too far off either. He
increased the speed that he stroked the cock in his
hand. The double sensation of Bryce's ass and hand
were beyond belief. He tried to hold back for as long
as he could, until he thought that his entire body was
going to explode.

"I'm gonna cum!" Skyler shouted as he finally lost the
battle with himself gladly.

  Spasm after spasm rocked him from head to foot.
Bryce slammed down one last time and shot his load so
hard that the first blast went completely over
Skyler's head and splattered against the headboard.
The second and third shots also landed there. The
fourth and subsequent ones ranged the entire length of
Skyler's body, from his groin to his tangled blond
hair. Skyler had also been fountaining the entire
time, in sync with Bryce. Bryce finally slowed to a
crawl and then stopped, resting with Skyler still
jammed fully within him.
  As they stared at each other breathing heavily, they
knew that every time was likely to be similar or even
better. Bryce shuffled his feet to a point where he
was now on his knees, still impaled. Skyler was
exhausted from the marathon of motion. He turned his
head to the side and caught a glimpse of the clock. It
now read 6:00am. Bryce appeared to be ready for a
second round. His erection was still rock hard and
tight against his abs.

"Holy shit Sky! What the fuck is this?" came from the
open hall door.

------------------------------------------------------

That's it for Chapter 3 folks. Hope it satisfied. :)
By the by, a special thanks is due my Mom for helping
me out of the corner I wrote myself into last chapter.
Yup, you read it right, my Mom. She knows exactly what
I am doing, not that she'll read it, or that I'll let
her. However, she has been incredibly supportive of
the fact that I am writing again and she could care
less what I am writing. So, even though she'll never
see this; Thanks Mom!

  Any comments can be directed to me at LaelSt@aol.com
or ICQ #11938988. I am still making up my mind as to
whom the search will turn up first. I have sort of an
idea, but we'll see. My heartfelt thanks to those who
wrote with ideas and wonderful comments. Every little
bit helps and encourages me to dredge my brain for the
right stuff. Goodness, look what turned up so far!
Chapter 4 is on the writing board now. Hope to have it
up soon. Peace and erotic... er, I mean, pleasant dreams!