The Weekend Away

James woke up the next morning with a dry mouth and a raging erection. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he reached for his phone on the nightstand. 8:23 am. He always had a problem of waking up early after a night of drinking instead of, ideally, sleeping in and letting his body recover. His skin was dry from the chlorine; his mouth had the sour, stale taste of morning breath; and without looking, he could tell his hair was mashed and matted in an unflattering mess.

Letting out a disgruntled sigh, he swung his legs out of bed, his bare feet sinking into the soft, plush rug below. 

Quietly, he went into the bathroom and took a hot shower, letting the water awaken and refresh him, periodically tugging and squeezing on his morning wood, which was only now starting to subside. He knew he should probably just take care of it, but a voice in his head chided him for rubbing one out in the same shower his friend would likely use as soon as he woke up. So, he left it alone and tried to focus his thoughts on other things. After his shower, he donned his favorite wintertime outfit – boxer briefs, an oversized crewneck sweater, and a pair of thick, warm ski socks. With his teeth brushed and his skin thankfully rehydrated, he went into the kitchen and fired up the coffee maker. 

As he waited on the machine to preheat, his mind continued to flash back to images of Cody from the night before – his cheeks ruddy, his chest steaming, his muscles bulging, his cock hanging heavily between his legs. It wasn't that he was turned on by the moment, the memory maybe, but he relished that feeling of freedom and confidence he'd felt standing bare before his best friend, the permission to observe and admire freely, without judgment or shame. He remembered Cody's look of disappointment when James suggested calling it a night, and wondered what might have happened had they let their night continue. 

The coffee maker light kicked on, indicating it was ready to brew. James grabbed a mug from the cabinets and a coffee pod from the large canister on the counter. Just as the coffee began to brew into his mug, the smell alone energizing him as soon as it reached his nostrils, James heard a door open in the hallway. He turned to see Cody walking into the kitchen, bare chested, wearing a pair of low-fitting, green flannel pajama pants. His face still had the slightly dazed look of morning, but his body looked alert and ready for the day.

“Morning,” James said, his voice gravelly. “Hope I didn’t wake you.”

“You didn’t,” Cody assured him. “I’ve been up for a minute. Heard the coffee maker and figured that was my cue.”

“I always wake up early after I’ve been drinking. It’s the worst.”

“Same.” Cody yawned and his body contracted in a huge stretch, his arms extending above his head, his muscles writhing and flexing as they moved. For a brief moment, the angles and curvature of his body reminded James of a marble statue, his muscles appearing as if carved from smooth stone. James looked away, lest his morning wood make an unwelcome return.

“Coffee is in this canister,” James said, gesturing to the counter. “I think there's only one kind, so…hope you like breakfast blends.”

Cody laughed, his body collapsing from his stretch back to its normal posture. “Works for me.”

James settled on the couch, throwing a blanket over his bare legs. Cody grabbed a second blanket and wrapped it around his bare shoulders, sitting in the armchair closest to the kitchen. James reached for a small remote on the end table and pushed a button, causing a fire to spring to life in the fireplace.

“Whoa,” Cody marveled. “Cool trick.”

“Right?” James agreed. 

They settled into a comfortable silence as they drank their coffee, letting the sound of the fireplace lull them into a state of near-meditative peace. Though he tried not to, James's eyes kept wandering to Cody, to the pale, bare chest peeking out from beneath the pine green blanket, to the smooth, gentle curve of his pecs and that intriguing, intimate spot that lay between them. He wanted to feel that diamond of smooth skin against his cheek.

“What?” Cody asked, noticing James's attention.

“Nothing,” James smiled, shaking himself back to reality. “Just thinking.”

“About?” Cody prompted.

On a whim, James answered. “Last night was fun.”

Cody returned the smile, eliciting a quick chuckle. “It was. Hope I didn't freak you out too much.”

“Nah,” James swatted the comment away with his hand. “Caught me by surprise maybe, but nothing I can't handle.”

“Fair,” Cody smirked. “I'm sure you've seen a lot more naked dudes than I have.”

James laughed, feeling the onset of a blush. “That's probably true,” he agreed. “But, if I'm being honest, very few who are in as good shape as you. Seriously. Damn.”

“Yeah?” Cody grinned, clearly enjoying the praise. “Thanks dude. I've put a lot of work into it. You look pretty good, yourself.”

“I'm alright,” James dismissed the compliment. 

“No, really,” Cody continued. “You're an attractive guy. Own it.”

James paused for a moment. “I've never had any complaints.”

Cody laughed. “There ya go. I'm sure you haven't.”

“You probably say that to all your naked hot tub friends,” James teased.

“Oh yeah,” Cody nodded comically. “Normal Friday night for me.”

James rolled his eyes. As they finished their coffee, they discussed the plan for the day. While neither wanted to do anything too strenuous, they agreed it would be nice to get out for a hike at one of the dozens of trails in the park. James liked the outdoors, and Cody would never say no to some exercise. So, after a quick bite of breakfast, they decided to get ready.

“I'm gonna shower,” Cody said, dropping his cereal bowl in the sink. “My skin feels like sandpaper.”

“Oh, I feel that,” James laughed. 

Cody disappeared into the bathroom while James cleaned up in the kitchen and loaded their accumulation of used items into the dishwasher, then he moseyed to his bedroom. Before he got there, though, James lingered in the hallway. From behind the bathroom door, he heard the rush of the shower. His eyes were drawn into Cody’s room, to the messy, rumpled sheets on Cody’s bed. The sight sparked his imagination, and as he looked, he noticed something else – an unassuming piece of gray fabric laying on the floor, halfway between the door and the bed. 

Curious, James wandered into the room and picked up the item. It was a pair of Cody’s briefs. James turned them around in his hands, and then sucked in a surprise breath as he discovered a sizable wet spot on the brief’s front side. Cautiously, James brought the briefs to his nose and inhaled – the musky, salty scent was unmistakable. 

Heat rushed to James’s face and he had to stifle a laugh. Here he was, holding a pear of Cody's cum-soaked underwear! Which begged the question – had Cody jerked off thinking about their time in the hot tub last night? Had he jerked off thinking about James?? There was no way to know; in all reality, he could've been taking care of his morning wood as usual, but the idea James has been on his mind sent butterflies through James’s chest.

Carefully, he placed the briefs back on the floor and tiptoed back into his room to change.

Their hike was a pleasant, uneventful affair. They chose a moderate trail, a three mile loop that followed some bluffs which overlooked the lake. As the sun broke through the cloud cover and the day warmed, it proved to be a beautiful afternoon, and they were both glad they'd made the effort to get some fresh air for the day. They talked little as they walked, intermittently making observations about the weather or their surroundings. They paused at a particularly scenic overlook, sitting on a fallen tree that served as a wonderful makeshift bench, using the opportunity to rehydrate and catch their breath. 

On the hike down, Cody led the way, allowing James to once again admire his friend's physique – the broad shoulders, thick thighs, firm glutes, and confident gait as progressed down the hill. Somehow, knowing what lay under those clothes changed the way he looked while wearing them. James tried not to linger on this thought too much, but he couldn't help but wonder what lay in store for them this evening.

Their outing lasted just over two hours, long enough to feel justified without cutting into too much of their relaxation. Back in the living room, James fixed himself a drink and settled onto the couch with his tablet, pulling one of the large throw blankets over his legs for extra comfort. His mom had been pestering him for a Christmas list since the day after Halloween, and he figured he owed her at least a few ideas before he saw her on Monday. As he pulled up his Amazon list, Cody entered the room, book in hand, and took a seat on the opposite end of the couch. Absent-mindedly, he adjusted part of James’s blanket over his legs, and opened the book to where he’d marked his place with a plain, white index card.

James let himself appreciate the sight before him, the closeness and comfort level between them, which he knew was special about their friendship. He couldn’t fight the smile that crept across his face.

“What?” Cody asked, looking up from his book. 

James shook his head. “I can’t believe that is what you are reading for fun.” 

Cody held up his book. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. “Why?” he asked, confused. “It’s really interesting.”

“You’re the only person I know who would bring a productivity book with him on vacation,” James nudged Cody’s leg with his foot. 

“It’s really not about productivity,” Cody clarified. 

“It says ‘time management’ literally on the cover,” James pointed out.

“Yeah, I know, but it’s a lot more…” he searched for the right word, “...philosophical than that.”

“How so?” James asked, not convinced.

“It’s basically about how industrialization and capitalism have completely changed – and in a lot of ways ruined – the way humans experience and interact with time. It’s about all of the pressures and stresses and existential angst we feel because we live in a totally fabricated system of reality rather than in relationship with any sort of natural cycle. It’s really fascinating.”

“Okay,” James nodded, impressed. “I mean, I love a good rant against capitalism, so I’ll give you that.”

“The author was on this podcast I like, and he was really interesting to listen to, so I figured I’d pick up the book.”

James was quiet for a minute before he spoke again. 

“You know, beneath that big, Gym Bro exterior, you might be the biggest nerd I’ve ever met.”

Cody laughed. “What? How?”

“Things like that!” he exclaimed, pointing at the book. “Most guys who look like you don’t even read, much less books about the impact of industrialization on the concept of time.”

Cody grinned and raised his shoulders in an exaggerated shrug. “I just think it’s interesting to know why things are the way they are. Like, nothing just exists. Everything came from something else. Like, we are all just little globs of clay being totally influenced by the messages and narratives and histories we are told. And, like, everything. Time, economics, psychology, cultural values, sexuality, religious ideas, holidays and traditions…it’s all just a hodgepodge of all the different ideas that have existed before right now. I think it’s important to know what those influences are so you can decide what you actually believe.”

James was a little stunned. “Wow. So, like, what’s another example.”

Cody furrowed his brow until his face lit up with inspiration. “So Christmas is coming up. And people act like Christmas is this ancient tradition that holds so much cultural and moral weight, when, in reality, the way we celebrate christmas is just a thin veneer of Victorian English Christianity slapped onto a bunch of old Norse and Celtic pagan traditions. Not to mention, Coca-Cola basically invented Santa Claus. Or, like how the word homosexual didn’t even exist until after the Civil War. So people talk about the Bible condemning homosexuality when it was written literally thousands of years before the concept of a homosexual was even a thing. People just believe all these things either don’t make any sense or are blatantly just untrue. I guess…I just want to be smarter than that.”

“Wait,” James narrowed his eyes. “Is that for real? How did I not know that about homosexual? I literally am a homosexual.” He laughed.

“It’s true! Look it up, it was like 1869 or something.” James immediately searched this on his phone, the results confirming Cody's guess. “See, it’s just all this stuff nobody ever thinks about even though it dramatically shapes the way we see the world around us.”

“Huh,” James was speechless. The two sat in silence for a few minutes, Cody’s words still hanging in the air. “How did you learn that?”

“About the word?” Cody asked. “I went down a rabbit hole one time. It was really random – I saw this article about the gay penguins at the zoo, and that led to reading about all these other animals that often exhibit homosexual behavior – some, like penguins, will actually mate long-term and others, like bats, just have a lot of gay sex. Then that led to an article about the word itself and I just kept clicking.” He laughed, mostly at himself.

“That’s really crazy. I can’t believe I didn’t know all of that,” James thought aloud. “Hmm.”

“What?” Cody asked, looking over at him.

“I don’t know,” James confessed. “I guess I just…I grew up hearing so many people whining about how…people like me are unnatural or whatever. So the fact that this is a thing all across nature, like you’re saying, it’s like…it makes me feel so relieved and also so much more angry at how wrong they are.”

Cody smiled compassionately. “Yeah. That makes sense. Dude, I’m sorry you have to listen to people say shit like that, that’s so ignorant.”

“Thanks,” James said, a strange knot of emotions forming in his stomach. He exhaled and tried to shake off the sudden wave of feelings. “So how did you make sense of all that?” It was an inelegant question, but James wanted to know. Was this an intellectual pursuit for Cody? A point of curiosity? Or something else altogether?

Cody thought for a second. “I don’t know. It certainly makes me rethink a lot of the messaging some people still use about being gay.”

“Like what?”

“Like, how being gay is somehow less masculine or manly than being straight. You have these wannabe tough guys out here saying they're so manly, they would never…but then I think about soldiers in ancient Greece and Sparta who used to literally fuck as an act of camaraderie before going into battle. And, I don't know, that sounds pretty manly. I imagine being with another dude would be pretty masculine, not the opposite.” His voice trailed off. “I guess it just makes me think how much the social norms we are fed limit us. Like, I know sexuality is a spectrum and some people are just into what they're into…but I feel like more often than not people are just…taking options off the table.”

James was unsure how to respond. Cody’s answer certainly carried a few suggestions about his own curiosities, but James didn't want to be too abrasive in his reaction. “I would agree,” he finally said. “I think a lot of guys especially never let themselves explore the possibilities because they're just told not to.”

“Yeah,” Cody stared out the window, his eyes unfocused.

“What about you?” James finally asked. “Do you feel like you ever…limit yourself?”

Cody's eyes flickered slightly, briefly making contact with James’s before looking away again. “Sometimes, yeah.” 

James’s stomach turned over, a rush of adrenaline making his head buzz. He was thinking of how to phrase his next question. “How so?”

“I don't know,” Cody pondered. “Like, I'm not against the idea of…you know, but it's just something I've never pulled the trigger on. I've never really sought it out.”

“Have you wanted to?” James asked, trying to keep the quiver out of his voice.

Cody was quiet for a moment, long enough to make James nervous. “Sometimes more than others. Like, no offense, but I don't know that I'm into guys like that. At least not where I'd want to date a guy or end up marrying a man.” He paused. “But I guess I like the idea of just…owning my sexuality and embracing curiosity and exploring what feels good. I like the idea of feeling free enough to do that, maybe more than the idea of actually doing it. Does that make any sense?”

“Yeah,” James said slowly. “I think it does.” He weighed his next words carefully before speaking. “I think it's like last night, feeling free enough to be naked and comfortable around someone feels really cool. Like, it's not so much being naked as it is the ability to feel that…I don't know, free.”

“Hundred percent,” Cody nodded. “Yeah, I thought the same thing. It was cool to feel that open with you, or whatever. Like, you're my friend and we trust each other and we can just be cool being our full selves like that. Like, a body is just a body. Big deal.”

“Yeah,” James agreed. After a minute or two, he spoke up again. “You know, if you ever did want to…explore some of that stuff…we could.” Cody looked up at him with a slightly surprised expression. “Or not, you could totally just use the apps like a normal person, I just thought if you didn't want to have to depend on total strangers it might be easier or more comfortable if you…” James knew he was rambling but didn't know how to stop.

Thankfully, Cody cut him off. “Okay” he said. 

“Okay?” James stuttered. 

“Yeah, okay,” Cody repeated. “I mean,” he smiled, “I won't say it's never crossed my mind.”

“Wait, really??” James exclaimed.

Cody laughed. “Yeah, I mean…I never wanted to assume you'd also be interested, so I figured I'd leave that ball in your court.”

They looked at each other for what felt like an eternity, their gaze intense, their expressions inscrutable. James felt his heart throbbing in his chest, the butterflies in his stomach swirling around in anticipation of some sort of gotcha moment. When no such moment arrived, he decided to push forward.

“So,” he finally said, not taking his eyes off of Cody's. “How would you want to do it?”

Cody's brow furrowed ever so slightly. “I don't know,” he admitted.

James thought for a second, steeling himself to make his next suggestion. “I could, ya know…jerk you off. Or suck you or something.” His cheeks were flushed. “That sounds ridiculous to say out loud.”

“Actually,” Cody cocked his head to one side, “I think I'm more interested in doing that to you.” His words hung between them.

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Cody nodded, feigning confidence. “I've had my dick sucked by plenty of girls before. I’m more interested in…you know, what it's like on this side of the fence.”

“Okay,” James said, a knot in his stomach. He wasn't opposed to the idea, it was just a far cry from what he'd expected in his head. “You sure?”

Cody just nodded. 

Taking a fortifying breath, James tossed aside the blanket that covered his legs and stood, stepping in front of Cody. Cody looked up at him, his eyes sharp with anticipation. He sat, frozen in place, the book and index card still in his hands. Slowly, James reached down and took both items, marking the page and setting the book down on the coffee table. He reached for Cody's hands, taking them at the wrist and placing them gently on James's hips. They locked eyes again, questions and answers passing silently between them, until Cody's hands strengthened their hold. Cautiously, Cody slid his hands under the front of James's sweatshirt. James shivered at their touch. 

“Cold?” Cody asked.

“Yeah,” James said, suppressing a giggle. “Little bit.”

“Sorry,” James smiled warmly. 

His hands traced up James's sides and over his chest, his fingers grazing James's nipples, which were already hardened. His fingers continued their course down James's torso, dancing lightly over his abs, until they reached their original position on James's hips. He gripped the bottom of James's sweatshirt and lifted it.

“You should take this off,” he said, his voice low. 

James obeyed without hesitation, tossing it inelegantly on the accent chair. 

Cody's hands repeated their course, his eyes now following along, carefully taking in the sight of his friend's torso. His fingers stopped at a small mole on James's ribcage, at his nipples, and the wispy hairs below his belly button; they slid back up his torso, gently squeezing James's chest, hooking under his arms and lightly tracing down his back until they reached the waistband of his joggers. He removed his hands, only to bring them to the drawstring at the front of James's pants, which he slowly loosened. 

James took the cue, pulling his joggers and briefs off in a single swoop and kicking them behind him. He stood there, naked and proud before his friend for the second time in twenty-four hours. This time, however, he was unable to keep his cock from responding with excitement, and it hung, half-hard, before him. 

Cody returned his hands to James's body, this time starting on James's bare thighs before sliding up to his hips and around to his ass. James's cock twitched as Cody gave a gentle squeeze, and Cody's eyes lit up, amused and clearly excited. He brought his hands to James's front, his fingertips brushing the outskirts of James's pubic hair and down the front of his thighs. 

James could feel the blood rushing to his cock, which was growing more full with each passing second and to which Cody's eyes were glued. With a curious fascination, Cody brought a hand to it, and took James delicately in his fingers. Instinctively, James let out a soft moan. Cody began to slowly drag his fingers up and down James's shaft, feeling the smooth skin growing harder in his hand. A bead of moisture appeared at the tip of James's dick, and he dragged his thumb over it, letting it coat James's head, now a dark, cherry red, with a glistening sheen. Gaining confidence, he took James fully in his hand and began to stroke.  

James's mind went blank, conscious of nothing but the touch of his best friend's hand, the friction warming him both outside and in. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, then just as quickly leaned forward to watch Cody, his brow creased in concentration. He wanted nothing more than to pull Cody's clothes off, to return the favor on Cody's plump cock, but he restrained himself, desperate not to push Cody too fast and scare him off. 

Cody's other hand reached up and found James's balls, kneading them gently between his fingers and his thumb, pulling and twisting them with expert precision. “Fuck,” James moaned. “That feels good.”

“Yeah?” Cody asked in a voice that sounded almost shy.

“Hell yes,” James encouraged. He rocked his hips forward, placing his hands on his lower back. 

Cody's eyes finally broke away from James's cock and raised to meet his eyes, his hands never halting their movement. His left hand reached a little further underneath James's balls. James widened his stance, giving him permission to proceed. A finger traced and prodded James's taint, stroking his balls and reaching a fraction of a millimeter closer to his hole with each motion, like waves gently climbing up the shore. When his finger reached James's hole, James gasped and tried to keep his legs from buckling beneath him. 

“Sorry,” Cody said reflexively, taking his hand away. “Too much?”

“No,” James said, maybe a bit too eagerly. “Just…here.” He took a step back and grabbed one of the plus blankets from the couch, spreading it over the accent chair. He then turned and sat in the chair, his legs spread in invitation, his cock twitching with each pulse. 

Cody immediately followed, crawling off the couch and settling in on his knees in front of James. Resting his elbows on James's thighs, he took James's cock in his hand and began to stroke again, gaining more confidence and determination as he went. James arched his back, exhaling loudly with pleasure, and reached his hands behind his head. The muscles of his torso rippled as he writhed, and he saw Cody's eyes drink in these movements greedily. His left hand reached up and caressed his stomach, his chest, his side, whatever he could reach. 

James settled further into the seat, spreading his legs wider and rocking his hips into Cody's thrusts. “Fuck dude,” he growled as Cody changed his grip, switching from short, rapid strokes to long, smooth ones. He settled back on his haunches, pulling James's cock down and away from his torso, sticking straight out between his legs, and stroked him with a tight grip. James bucked and cursed, surprised by the intensity of the sensation. Out of habit, he lifted his legs off the ground, holding them behind his knee, while Cody continued to milk his cock.

When he let go, James's cock slapped against his pelvis with a satisfying sound, and James suddenly realized he was shamelessly baring his hole to his friend. Cody realized this at the same time, and seemed frozen, unsure what to do. James was about to reposition himself when Cody leaned forward and resumed stroking James, his left hand tracing light circles around James's tight, pink slit. He seemed cautious, unsure of what to do or how willing he was to do it, but an unmistakable lust burned in his eyes as he stared at his best friend's most intimate parts spread bare before him. The hedonism of the moment spoke to him, the raw, shameless pleasure each was experiencing in the moment, flowed through him like electricity, and he realized that he was rock hard, straining against his own pants. Deciding to lean in, Cody brought his left hand to his mouth and wet a finger with his tongue, coating it fully before returning it to James's hole. Without relenting his other hand, he began to slowly, cautiously push against the warm, smooth flesh.

It didn't take long, once James realized what was happening, for his body to tip past the breaking point. As soon as he felt Cody's finger slide into him, he saw white, and a firework erupted inside of him, starting at the base of his spine and radiating outward in all directions with breathtaking speed. He felt himself contract, clenching down on Cody's finger as his cock began to twitch violently in his other hand, and he shot ropes of hot cum into the air. It landed on his chest, his stomach, his sternum, and Cody's hand. He didn't even hear himself cry out in ecstasy until the dull roar began to dissipate from his ears, clearing like fog in the morning sun.

As the tremors of James's body subsided, Cody removed his finger and loosened his grip on his friend's cock. His hand was coated in warm, wet cum, which he found surprisingly exciting, and he marveled at the twitches and ticks of James's body as the aftershocks coursed through. 

James released his legs, which fell heavily to the ground, and he laid there with his hands folded over his face. His breathing slowed, and he became acutely aware of his nakedness – the puddles of cum accumulating on his torso, his deflating erection laying against his stomach – exacerbated by Cody kneeling, fully clothed, before him, his eyes studying him like a sculpture. Cautiously, one eye peaked out from beneath his hands and met Cody's, and James began to laugh. It was a breathless, uninhibited laugh that immediately transferred to Cody, and it took a few minutes for both them to settle. 

“Well,” James finally said.

“Yeah,” Cody echoed. 

“I…” James began, realising too late he was speechless. “Damn.”

“Do you always cum like that?” Cody asked, audibly impressed

“No,” James laughed. “No I do not.”

“Well,” Cody sat back, a satisfied grin on his face. “I'll take that as a compliment.”

“You should,” James exhaled loudly. 

“So that was…that was good?”

James raised an eyebrow, gesturing to the mess that was his stomach. “Obviously.”

“Do you need, like, a towel or something?” Cody asked.

“Please.”

Cody got up and went to the bathroom, leaving James sprawled in the chair. His mind tried to process what had just happened, tried to record the sensations he'd felt, the looks he'd glimpsed on Cody's face. He felt strangely used, surprising given that he'd been the one being pleasured, even more surprising realizing how much he liked it. His body had been an instrument, a toy for Cody to play with, and somehow he'd never felt more powerful. He wondered how Cody had liked it, wondered what tricks he'd used on James that he normally employed on himself, and – most of all – wondered how soon they'd do it again.