Published: 19 Jan 2017

January meant not only that classes started up again, but that current school year would be half over by the end of the month. Colt and Dane could hardly believe they would soon be entering the last term of their senior year. In one sense it seemed like they had been freshman just a short time ago, but in another sense it felt like a lifetime had passed. How different everything was in their lives than it had been when they were so young and insecure. Now, they understood a lot more about themselves and what they wanted in life; they were comfortable in their own skins.

Wrestling was going strong as were swimming, basketball, choir, band, and swing choir. With all of the practices, games, meets, matches, and rehearsals there was barely time to do homework.

Dave and Dustin were again thankful for having the opportunity to live at Greta’s house. It would have been nearly impossible to have done what they were doing and also drive, or ride a bus, from Maynard to Bentonville and back every school day, sometimes late at night.

Occasionally, they thought about the drama and trauma that had accompanied their moving in with Dane and Colt, but usually, they simply thanked their lucky stars for their current living arrangement.

Jared was staying in Bentonville with Logan at various times during the week. Having Eddy to help with the daily operations of the farm meant Jared had more freedom to participate in extracurricular activities. If he had been riding the bus every day in addition to swing choir rehearsal and chores, he would have had little time to study.

Since the two had become best friends, this was the perfect solution. Bob sent frozen meats and vegetables from his freezer to help repay the Ennis family for housing his son. The Ennis’s were thrilled to get the organically grown food, and Bob was equally pleased that they had welcomed his son into their home. It was a win/win situation.

Everyone was happy except for Grandma Ennis who was certain that boys who slept together would turn out to be gay. Actually, the boys slept in separate twin beds in the same room. While it may have been true that they jacked off together at times, neither showed any tendency to prefer guys over girls. It was simply that girls weren’t available to take care of their needs and they were too young to get too serious anyway.

Colton and Dustin were both having their best wrestling season ever. They had been in the same weight class at the beginning of the year, but Dustin had managed to drop to the next lower one because he had burned plenty of calories and gained muscle as he had continued to work on the farm. That meant he was able to compete with opponents who were not as muscular as he was. But, he still practiced with Colt which helped him maintain his edge. He was certain to win a scholarship for college somewhere; he’d already had several recruiters looking him over.

Colt was pleased for his friend. Dustin had fewer financial resources than he did, so a scholarship could greatly help in paying his tuition. Colt didn’t really need the money and he wasn’t sure he wanted to wrestle beyond high school even though he was being actively recruited by several schools.

Coach Heitz wasn’t following Bo Franklin’s weird regulations about colored jock straps, so Colt and Dustin had taken their bright red ones home for playtime with their boyfriends. They both went back to dressing out for matches in singlets with nothing underneath. Those items sometimes got taken home for purposes other than laundering too.

Dane was swimming like a fish and looked as if he would be able to place at the state meets. He was hoping against hope to win this year because it was his last chance in high school. Like his lover, he wasn’t sure he wanted to continue his sport in college. It seemed like it might be a good idea to devote most of his time and energy to his studies. He had read about guys who made a career of being on teams or playing video games and drinking in college, but he was determined not to be one of them. Sure, he’d have fun and probably party some, but he’d also study his ass off!

Dave continued to be a “band jock” playing in the concert band, pep band, and in the backup band for the swing choir. He didn’t plan to become a professional musician, but he was certainly having fun performing in high school. He would be sorry to see his senior year end in some ways, but in others, he was ready to move on. College would be way cooler than high school.

Dan and Cory were juniors and would have a full year of basketball ahead of them. As it was, they were in the starting lineup for every game. A couple of seniors were jealous of how much playing time they got, but had to admit they were awesome on the court. Coach Kelly was extremely pleased with their performance and was looking forward to a tremendous season in the coming year. He would be losing only two of his top players to graduation and he had several younger ones who were developing well to fill their shoes.

The new school, with its great facilities didn’t hurt the program either. The gym had about twice the seating of the old one and it seemed to be near capacity for almost every home game. A winning team has a way of selling seats.

In the latter part of the month, it was evident that Bentonville’s swimming team was becoming a force to be reckoned with. Perhaps it was the new pool that gave the boys their edge or maybe it was simply that the team was maturing. Several boys were competing for titles at the state meet in Des Moines.

Dane was pleased to see his family members and many of his friends among the excited fans who had traveled the distance to support the team. Dane was one of the strongest swimmers in the free-style relay event. He swam second in the lineup and his speed gave the remaining guys a real advantage. They were mindful of the edge he had given them, and put in extra effort so as not to lose it. Bentonville won hands down.

The crowning achievement for Dane was the 100-meter butterfly. This year, he beat his nearest competitor by half a body length. His time was seven seconds better than last year and it set a new state record. Dane was so elated when he saw the score posted that he nearly popped straight up out of the water. He received high-fives from his teammates who pulled him out of the pool with such force that his Speedos slipped an inch. If he hadn’t been well endowed, he could have lost them completely.

Among the well-wishers was a college freshman whom he recognized immediately. Eric Dows, who had beaten him in that event the previous year, gave him a big bear hug.

“I said you’d kick ass this year! You nearly beat my butt last time. You have improved big-time. You’ve broken my record by several seconds.”

To get that kind of recognition from his former rival meant the world to Dane. He appreciated the congratulations from teammates and family, but he already knew they were pulling for him. Eric truly knew the meaning of sportsmanship.

Colton had the digital camera out snapping every detail he could.

Wrestling finals came in February. Dane and Dave followed their boyfriends to the district and state events. Both Dustin and Colt went to state after surviving districts undefeated. It looked as though Bentonville was going to be a powerhouse in that sport as well.

Colt was thrilled that Wade and Roger made it to Des Moines to watch him compete. He was also happy to meet his new foster brother, Ethan, who had just turned four.

The men had had expectations of getting a younger child, perhaps even an infant, but had been drawn to this kid because he was getting to the age that he’d be more difficult to place. People tended to want babies, not children who were already walking around and who had minds of their own. Being of mixed race, and having come from an abusive home, didn’t help Ethan’s chances either. However, he was happy and thriving since being in the care of two loving fathers. He was definitely intelligent and was becoming much more outgoing since Wade and Roger had taken him in.

In the final match for state title, Colt was feeling like he couldn’t quite make it. His strength was waning. Then, he heard Ethan’s voice cheering him on.

“Go, go, Colt!” the little tyke yelled.

Colton found that extra surge of energy somewhere deep inside. He flipped his opponent over and pinned him decisively. The Bentonville crowd went wild. As soon as the ref had raised his hand in victory, Colt shook hands with the other guy and then went to the stands to hoist Ethan on his shoulders. The little boy grinned from ear to ear and put both of his hands up in the air cheering.

Dustin was competing on a mat just a few yards away and Colt carried Ethan over to cheer for him too. Colt was very pleased that Dustin pinned his man with less effort than he had. After that performance, Dustin would be on the “A” list for scholarship offers from all of the state universities and several top, private colleges as well. He would probably get a full ride. The smile on his face was worth every hour they’d spent practicing.

Dustin’s parents and younger siblings hugged him as soon as they could get to him. He was elated that his mother was still doing well and still supporting him. His relationship with his family was at an all-time high.

Fortunately, all of these moments were preserved by Dane, Dave, and several other friends and family members who had taken enough pictures to fill an album.

February 27th fell on a Wednesday that year – church night, so no one would be having practices in the athletic facilities after school or in the evening. Coach Heitz wondered why Colton had asked to borrow the key to the weight room and locker room in the old high school which had been converted to a middle school facility. But, since Colt was a trustworthy young man as well as a state champion, he didn’t turn down the request. Perhaps there was a favorite machine or bench that he liked to use or maybe he was simply nostalgic in his senior year.

A light freezing mist was just beginning to fall as Colt and Dane drove to their old school. They entered the facility from the door which was least visible from the street. Once inside, they checked to make sure that no one else was there.

They took off their coats and unzipped their warm-up pants. That left them standing there in the old gym clothes that they’d worn four years ago. The outfits which had been baggy on them before were now form-fitting.

The boys moved a mat close to one of the weight benches. They worked without conversation according to a prearranged plan. Colt chose a barbell that was a little heavier than the one he’d been pressing as a freshman. Dane moved into position to spot for him. Colt tried to suppress a grin as he caught sight of Dane’s dick hanging out of the torn liner and snaking down his leg. After a few repetitions, Colt acted as if he had lost concentration and his strength was flagging. Dane helped him re-rack the weight. Dane stared pointedly at the bulge that was beginning to form in Colt’s shorts.

“What are you lookin’ at, queer?” Colt demanded in a theatrically harsh voice.

Then he made a lunge at Dane sending them both on the mat. In his play acting, Colt could not duplicate the sequence of emotions which had played across his face that first time. However, he could almost mimic their first tentative kiss exactly. He loved feeling the strength in Dane’s arms as the latter pulled him close when he made as if he were going to jump up. They kissed again.

“Why did you have to be so damned cute?” Colt said softly with real tears of emotion in his eyes.

They walked over to where their lockers had been and undressed for each other. When they were at last naked, they embraced again and kissed with even more passion.

Colt steered Dane to the same back stall where the two began to rub their bodies together. Four years ago, they didn’t know it was called frottage, or that lots of other guys do it too. Back then, they didn’t heighten the effect by teasing each other’s rosebud with a middle finger. It was that extra touch which helped drive them quickly to their desired destination, but the anticipation of this encore had been making them horny all day.

Their loads were thicker and larger in volume than when they were younger, but their feelings were the same. The thrill had been intense when they were freshmen and was no less so now.

“I love you,” Colt whispered.

“I love you too, Baby,” Dane responded as he knelt to clean up Colt’s abs.

Colt did the same to Dane a half minute later. Then, they used toilet paper to clean up what had spilled on the floor.

Next, they showered; kissing again while washing each other’s back in the process. They put on fresh clothes from their gym bags and turned out the lights. One more kiss in the dark, and then they headed for their ice-covered car.

“Happy Anniversary, Stallion.”

“Happy Anniversary, Horny Toad!”

When the boys walked into the kitchen at Greta’s, they smelled the aroma of dinner cooking.

“What are we having, Grandma?” Dane asked.

“I fixed roast beef, mashed potatoes, and green beans. I think that’s what your mother was making four years ago when you and Colton found each other and you brought him home. Your family’s on the way over, by the way and Dave and Dustin are here of course, so we’ll need a couple of extra leaves in the dining room table.”

“You knew that this was our anniversary?” Dane said in disbelief.

“Well, I had a little help from your housemates. They said you were planning something special to celebrate the date you fell in love, but with the weather like it is, you might want to put it off until a nicer evening, so I came up with this.”

Knowing that they’d already had their special commemoration, the boys blushed as they hugged her for her thoughtfulness.

Sometime around 5:00 a.m. Dane and Colt were awakened by a snapping sound followed by a dull thud. They jumped out of bed and ran to the window. A large branch in one of the trees in the yard had broken under the weight of accumulated ice.

Dave and Dustin tapped on their door lightly and were asked to come in. They had stopped long enough to put on underwear; Dane and Colt had not, but quickly did.

“There are a couple of small branches down on the other side of the house,” Dave said. “That clumping birch is bent all the way to the ground, but it hasn’t snapped at least. Those trees are pretty flexible.”

“Whoa, it’s chilly in here,” Colt exclaimed. “I think the furnace must be off.”

“I think it’s even colder in our room,” Dave added.

Dane tried the light switch and found that the electricity wasn’t working.

“I’ll bet the ice has taken down lines all over town. I can’t see any street lights. I’ll bet there’ll be no school today. Why don’t you guys crawl in bed with us to stay warm while I turn on the battery radio to see what’s happening?”

The bed was crowded even though all of the guys were trim. Dustin was on the inside, so he turned toward Dave who was on the outside. Dave loved feeling Dustin wrapped around his back. Colt was back to back with Dustin and cuddling against Dane who was attempting to listen to the news reports while being somewhat distracted by Colt’s roaming hands.

“Guys, the whole eastern half of the state is shut down. All schools are closed and travel is not advised unless it’s an emergency situation. I guess we have the day off! I, for one, could use the sleep.” Dane informed the others.

Within a few minutes everyone was back to sleep. They were crowded, but snug and warm. It was a great time to catch up on much needed rest.

If you are enjoying this story, let David know: david.lee@castleroland.net