"So, are you ever gonna tell me about these scars on your chest?" Austin asked Noah.
They were lying on a large beach towel. Noah was on his back and his hand was tight around Austin so that Austin was lying halfway on top of him. Austin was studying Noah's chest and running his fingers along each scar.
The sun beat down mercilessly but they were sheltered beneath an umbrella. They were only wearing beach shorts and their chests were bare. They had not done much swimming. The heat of the sun exhausted them within a very short time, so they cuddled in the sand instead.
There were very few people around.
"It's a long story." Noah's face fell.
"We have time, but you don't have to if you're not comfortable with it." Austin said, seeing the change in Noah's mood.
"We're here to have fun and relax, I don't want to bore you with stories from my past...please."
"Ok.." Austin said, but he clearly still wanted to know, "I just hate seeing that someone hurt you."
"Don't worry, I'm alright." Noah said as he ran his hands through Austin's wet hair.
"Just promise me one thing..." Austin requested.
"Anything." Noah responded without hesitation.
"That whoever is responsible paid dearly for it."
"They did.." Noah heart swelled from deep affection for Austin, seeing how much Austin genuinely cared for him. Nobody had in a long time.
"Good." Austin said then suddenly kissed the skin next to Noah's nipple. Electricity immediately shot through Noah's body and he closed his eyes as Austin proceeded to kiss his chest.
He couldn't hold back as the feel of Austin's lips persisted to torture him sweetly. He tried to pull Austin up for a kiss but Austin stopped his hand.
Austin shifted and threw his leg over Noah so that he was straddling him.
"You taste salty.." Austin said with a shy smile, still holding onto both of Noah's arms firmly.
"I want to know what you taste like." Noah looked up at Austin.
"Nope." Austin shook his head playfully.
"Please..." Austin's luscious bottom pressing hard on his manhood was not something he could ignore. All his blood was racing towards that region.
"What?" Seeing the look on Noah's face, Austin knew exactly what was happening to Noah but he was determined to tease him.
"You wanna wrestle for it?" Noah asked.
"You could try -" but before he could finish that sentence, Noah had him pinned to the ground and was on top of him.
"Wow, I seem to have overestimated my physical strength." Noah's eyes were thick with lust as he attacked Austin's lips vehemently.
Austin could feel something begin to poke at his thigh. He locked his ankles and hands behind Noah and immediately got engulfed by the passionate kiss. It was like Noah had been possessed by something that was making him want to devour Austin right then and there.
He ground his hips as their tongues danced together. The thin material of the beach shorts was not restricting their movements, and their shafts grew steadily. They did not mind anyone who was around. Noah reached down with one hand and grabbed Austin's crotch. Austin let out a loud moan and his shaft hardened instantly.
Noah was craving more but when he started to sneak his hand through the band of Austin's shorts, someone cleared their throat from above their heads.
"Save me a piece, will you?"
Noah sat up and Austin followed. They both looked at the tall guy holding a surfboard while smiling down at them.
"Who are you?!" Noah asked, irritated by the interruption.
"Sorry....hi, I'm Danny."
"Well, Danny, as you can see, we're kind of in the middle of something." Noah said rudely.
"Wait a minute..I know you guys!" Danny said excitedly, flashing a cute smile, "Noah... and you must be Austin." He planted his surfboard in the sand then extended his hand for them to shake.
"How -" Austin creased his forehead confusedly and ignored the extended hand.
"Nicky." Danny said.
"How do you know my sister?" Austin asked as he stood up off the towel.
"Actually, we met because of you guys. You were drunker than my grandpa on St.Patty's day."
"You were there?" Noah asked and stood up as well.
"Someone had to help Nicky when she was freaking out about the two of you."
"..thanks?"
"No problem. By the way, you both are way hotter when you are sober and in the daylight...and nude...on a beach towel...and -"
"You don't hold back, do you?" Austin said, but he did not sound offended. In fact, he sounded amused.
"I won't if you don't." Danny flirted casually and looked at Austin with cow eyes, "I love your hair."
Austin blushed a little and flipped his hair. Noah saw it and his blood went up a few degrees in temperature. He hated the vibes this guy was spreading, and towards his boyfriend no less. He did not like Austin being seduced by this perfectly tanned, well-sculpted, surfer boy.
"Alright, move along now...I'm sure you have somewhere else to be." Noah said in an unfriendly tone.
"Actually, no. I have nothing else to do. I could stick around..maybe make it a massage train with only three cars, if you catch my drift." Danny winked at Austin, making Noah's nostrils flare with rage.
"No, thank you!" Noah said, totally not liking this guy, "I wanna have some time alone with my boyfriend ...without interruption from strangers!"
"Noah!" Austin coughed as a signal for him to tone it down. Clearly, Austin was not affected by Danny's flirting. He took it as innocent, casual chatting.
"It's ok, I understand. It's not exactly ...normal for me to just walk up to you and start making unwanted conversation. I'm gonna go."
"Danny?" Nicky's voice spoke.
The boys turned to look in her direction. She was standing there with a bunch of girls from school. They were all in tiny sundresses and carrying beach bags. There were a few boys with them, too.
"Nicky!" Danny's face it up upon seeing her, "Where have you been, girlfriend! I was hoping to see you again after last time...or haven't they given you any more trouble?" She ran into his arms and he lifted her slender body off the ground.
"Nope, they've been good..except when I walk in on them canoodling -which, by the way, is like on a daily basis."
"I know, I also did about five minutes ago."
"What are guys doing here?" Noah asked.
"Same thing you are :that is...if you're here to swim and tan, not nail each other into the sand."
The place they were at was quickly getting crowded with everyone setting up their stuff around them.
"Could you guys set up elsewhere?..We came here to have some privacy." Noah complained.
"That's what hotel rooms are for, Noah." Nicky told him.
Austin was busy chatting with Danny a few paces away from where everyone else was. They looked quite friendly and comfortable with each other. Danny occasionally touched Austin's shoulder whenever Austin said something that made him laugh. Noah was very close to spitting fire. Nicky was talking on and on but he was not paying attention to her.
He finally had enough, and stomped his way towards them.
"Babe, do you like surfing?" Austin asked him cheerfully.
"Argh, surfing ?" Noah grunted, "Not a fan!" He pulled Austin possessively against him, giving Danny the stink eye.
"Why do you hate surfing?" Danny asked him in a friendly voice.
"It's balancing on water, on top of a flat board...what is there to like!" Noah said mockingly.
"It is a great sport!" Danny justified.
"Well, if you ask me, it leaves a lot to be desired." Noah actually liked surfing but he just needed Danny to go away.
"Then I think it would be best if you hung out with Nicky." Austin told him.
"Why?"
"Danny is gonna teach me how to surf, how cool is that!" Austin said excitedly.
"Ahhhh..." Noah creased his forehead and looked between them.
"I like teaching attractive guys how to surf, it's gonna be a lot of fun!" Danny mentioned and Austin giggled.
"So.. this is a regular occurrence?" Noah asked.
"Well, I've never met anyone cuter than Austin."
"Don't say things like that if you don't wanna lose your limbs. We'll see how you like surfing then!" Noah said harshly and wrapped his arm around Austin.
"Oh, I get it. Don't worry, I'll try to keep my hands off of him." Danny said politely l
"Don't just try, lay a finger on him and I cut it off!" He did not look or sound like he was joking.
Austin pulled Noah aside and asked, "Hey, what's going on with you?"
"I just really don't like him!" Noah gritted his teeth.
"Danny?" Austin asked incredulously, "why?"
"He keeps hitting on you like I'm even not there!" Noah complained, "I don't want him near you."
"It's alright, babe...you have nothing to worry about." Austin wrapped his arms around Noah's neck, "I wanna know how to surf so I can make you watch me. I happen to know that surfing makes guys look like,..a thousand times hotter, for some reason. I wanna be your personal piece of eye candy on those hot, boring days at the beach."
"I don't think it's possible to make you hotter." Noah said, "I mean...you got the sun beat!"
"You think so?" The dark shade appeared again on Austin's cheeks and the sun had nothing to do with it.
"Yea, looking directly at you is burning my eyes."
That made Austin smile and blush hard, "You're so corny!"
"It's your fault, really. I wanna come with you...you know, just in case -"
"-he tries something?" Austin finished his sentence, "You really think I would choose that over you?"
"I know that I don't wanna find out!" Noah insisted.
"You have nothing to worry about. Besides, I think he's delightful..in an adorable, asexual kind of way."
"Really?" Noah smiled a bit.
"Yea. And, don't forget, I'm pretty much gay for you!" Austin assured him.
"Then, why am I jealous?"
"Don't be. Just hang out with Nicky and I'll be fine. I promise."
"Kiss me. Maybe that will convince me."
Austin smiled and kissed Noah. It was a long, slow kiss which they got consumed in and completely forgot about Danny, who was standing right beside them.
"Just so you know, I never get tired of seeing this."
Noah frowned at him, still holding Austin, "Do you ever get tired of being an asshole?" He said sardonically. Austin cleared his throat at him, "Fine..keep your hands to yourself!" He warned.
"I will." Danny responded nicely.
Austin pecked Noah on the lips before he ran off with Danny towards the shoreline. He was excited to learn surfing -it had always been his dream to learn it and there was no reason that he couldn't be taught by a really cute guy.
He found it really sweet that Noah was jealous of Danny but Austin had no intentions towards Danny. He was very handsome and well built but he looked more like the kind of guy he could only see as a fun friend and nothing more. He only had eyes for Noah. Nobody else came close. Not even Danny, with his six pack and tight shorts.
Danny lay the board flat on the ground and instructed Austin to stand on top of it.
"Wait, I'm no expert in surfing but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to take place in water."
"Yes, but you have to master the basics before taking you for a test drive. We wouldn't wanna get your hair wet for nothing." Danny said.
"It's no big deal, I get my hair wet all the time." Austin said as he balanced himself on top of the board.
"Are you guys coming for the bonfire?" Danny asked while adjusting Austin into the correct position to stand. His hands were gently holding Austin's waist.
"There's a bonfire?"
"Yea, tonight. It's a rager for students since you guys are free for the rest of the week. It's gonna be lots of fun. I would really like it if you came."
"Where's it gonna be?"
"Right here on the beach!" Danny said enthusiastically, "You can bring your boyfriend..although I'm sure he is going to swallow me whole if he hears that I invited you."
"Why would you say that?" Austin asked him lightly.
"Because he is not shooting daggers at me right now because I stole his favorite pencil at school," he motioned discreetly towards Noah, who had all his attention aimed at them.
"Come on...he means no harm."
"I think he does, who wouldn't?" Danny asked, "You are super cute and interesting..and with an ass like yours, I'm surprised no other guys are trying to snag you."
"So, you admit, you are trying to snag me." Austin said amusedly.
"Please don't tell him I said that. I get the feeling he will pulverize me in a second." Danny said.
"Shhh..it's our secret then."
"You're sweet..but I'm guessing you wouldn't want me. You seem like a one man guy whereas I am what you would call a man whore." Danny said it like it was just a normal thing to say. He had also stopped teaching Austin and now, they were just chatting.
"Forgive me, but you don't look like the type." Austin brushed him off. He thought Danny was just messing with him.
"Oh, believe me, I would win an Olympic medal!" Danny emphasized.
Austin cleared his throat and said, "How many would you say you have ...slept -"
"I don't sleep with anyone," Danny corrected.
"Why?"
"Sleeping with someone is a personal thing. Haven't done it since I broke up with my boyfriend about two years ago."
"Ummmn..I'm sorry to hear that." Austin sympathized.
"Don't be, hooking up with a different guy...or guys ,every night is kind of fun."
"So...are we talking like ten, twenty, forty... Times Square on New Year's Eve?" Austin asked jokingly.
"You're really funny," Danny said while laughing and Austin joined him.
"Babe," Noah appeared suddenly and cut in on their conversation.
"Oh, hey!" Austin said excitedly.
"I'm famished..wanna go grab something to eat?"
"Yea, sure." Austin looked at Danny apologetically, "Can Danny come along?"
"I was thinking just you and me." Noah said flatly.
Austin was about to protest but Danny said coolly, "it was great talking to you Austin, I'll see you at the bonfire tonight?"
"You bet!" Austin said as Noah grabbed his hand.
They walked away together and got a little further from Danny.
"Bonfire?" Noah asked.
"Yea, there's gonna be one tonight here at the beach. We are coming, right?"
"You made plans with him?!" Noah asked irritatedly and his tone contained a lot of jealousy.
"You know what, I think I should hang out with more handsome, overly friendly guys while you watch." Austin said out of nowhere.
"That's a very cruel thing to say to a person..why?" Noah asked.
"Because of the look you're giving me. It's like you wanna tear off my clothes and do me right here just to show everyone that I'm only yours. Jealousy is a surprisingly incredible color on you." Austin said sensually.
"That's true..and I do want to. You have no idea." Noah said and kissed Austin. He held him tight as the waves swept sand and water over their feet. He kissed him roughly and possessively -as if he hadn't seen Austin for days.
"Wow, what was that for?" Austin asked at the end of it.
"Reminding you how I feel about you." Noah said and looked dead on into Austin's eyes.
"Is this because of Danny?"
"I hate him...I've never seen you get along with anyone so quickly." Noah said but he wasn't quite as mad anymore.
"I do too!" Austin said childishly, "why are you being weird?"
"Nicky told me that you are always cynical about everybody ..so when I saw you blush at that moron's dumbass comments, it freaked me out a little."
"A little?" Austin asked him, raising one eyebrow, showing that he wasn't buying it.
"Yes. Trust me, that was a little. You don't wanna see me full on jealous." They walked together while holding hands. Austin kicked the water occasionally.
"Now I want to know what you are like crazy." Austin said.
"I'm already crazy about you."
"True...but I also wanna see the Neanderthal!" Austin said, waving his arms in the air dramatically, "the come-hither-and-I-will-end-you side of you."
"I used to be like that before I came here," Noah said seriously and took Austin's other hand in his free one. "But it was before I met you. Now, that side is only reserved for anyone who hurts you in any way...and I mean, even a scratch."
"Good, that means Danny's safe?"
"It's also for the bozos who try to steal you from me." Noah added with a serious face that made Austin laugh, causing Noah to laugh too.
*******
People were sat on the rocks that had been arranged around the fire to act as seats. There were kids from different schools in attendance and a few college students.
The fire burned high and sparks flew to the air, the burning wood crackling incessantly. Those who were not cold enough to require basking around the fire were off in the vast darkness or splashing around in the freezing cold water.
Noah was giving Austin a piggyback ride as he ran across the sand. They were playing a couple race game, one carrying the other on their back. Austin kicked him on the side as if he was a horse and yelled, "faster!"
"I really wish you were yelling that under different circumstances!" Noah yelled back while panting. There were two couples in front of them but Noah was determined to get ahead. His legs burned but he kept going. The few people watching cheered at no couple in particular.
All of a sudden, Austin started laughing uncontrollably, causing Noah to lose focus and trip. They both fell into the sand, Austin clutching his stomach as he sunk into fits of laughter.
One couple that had been directly behind them tripped on them and tumbled over in a heap which, in turn, tripped a third couple.
Everyone started laughing at the hilarious mess in front of them.
"Why are you laughing?" Noah asked Austin, even as he himself giggled loudly.
"I don't even know!" Austin responded, still laughing.
"You're an idiot!" Noah said jokingly, "And I'm thirsty!"
"Yea, me too!" Austin agreed, "All this running has exhausted me."
"What do you mean, you didn't even touch the ground!" Noah stated, "All you did was kick me like a horse!"
"You are one stallion I can never get tired of riding." Austin flirted.
"Get up losers!" Max yelled at them. They were the only ones still laying in the sand.
"You are an awful referee!" Noah told her as he started standing up
"Austin, I need to talk to you." She said while helping Noah stand up.
"Why, is there a punishment for coming in last?" Austin asked as he helped himself up.
She clutched his arm painfully and pulled him away from Noah, "Yes, you get to play matchmaker for me."
Austin frowned and cringed at her nails digging into his flesh, "What are you talking about?"
"Remember Randy?" She squeaked.
"No, I don't even know who that is!"
"Too bad, because you're helping me get him."
"Sure, I'll just go grab my kit full of equipment for trapping non-existent boys so that I can hand them over to my crazy friends." Austin sassed.
"He's here!" Max said excitedly.
"Who?" Austin asked, not following whatever she was talking about.
"Randy!" She said insistently.
"Oh, so..why don't you just go over and talk to him?"
"Because, for some reason, he happens to be the only guy in the entire universe that I can't complete a sensible sentence around!" Max responded.
"Awww..you like him!"
"I think so.." She said shyly.
"Who is this guy that has you so shy and weird...er?" Austin asked.
"He is just a guy who works at the milkshake stand at the mall. I always order like five milkshakes every time I go to the mall -which is every day after school. It's usually an excuse to be near him. He never lets me pay but I still don't think he knows I like him. I've waited for him to make a move for too long...seriously, how many milkshakes can a girl my size need for goodness' sake!"
"I see your point!" Austin nodded in agreement, "Max, I'm gonna say something I never thought I'd say..lets go get you a man and then turn him into your boyfriend! Where is he?"
"I saw him chatting with his friends near the bonfire."
"Well then, what are you waiting for, woman?" Austin asked, "Let's go!"
"Wait," Max stopped him. "How do I look?" She asked while straightening up her hair and clothes, "Do I have the girl-next-door look...or the fierce-and-definitely-ready-to-get-my-flirt-on?"
"Girl...I gotta be your matchmaker and stylist?" Austin whined.
"You're gonna have to deal with it, Whiny McGee!" Max back sassed, "Now, tell me if I look ok...scratch that, tell me if I look amazing!"
"You look...great."
"Don't just say it for the hell of it...really mean it!"
"I do!" Austin said defensively.
"You better be right or else..." She pointed a warning finger at him, making Austin back away from her out of terror.
"Wow, you are terrifying!" He said.
"I know!" She said and smiled innocently at him, which dropped immediately before she said, "Now, let's go!"
Austin followed her obediently as they headed towards the bonfire. The wind blew strong but it did not seem to deter the party in any way. Even the fire was still burning hot, bright and high.
Max led the way nervously as she tried to locate Randy. They looked around but did not see him. She spotted two of the guys Randy had been chatting with earlier and she approached them, "Hey, do you, by any chance, know where Randy is?"
"Who's asking, is it you or him?" The dorky one, with a black bandana around his spiky hair and dark eyeliner, asked. He looked like the emo type.
"Listen here, chain wallet," Max said harshly. "It's bad enough you're wearing a freaking bandana. I don't want to find out what it is like to have a conversation with you for another minute! Where...is..he!"
The guy was taken aback and visibly shrunk back, "He...he went that way."
She took Austin's hand and pulled him along to an area that was less crowded, where they had been directed towards.
"Alright, you're up!" She patted Austin on the back.
"What am I supposed to do!?" Austin complained.
"Find him, he is wearing a black AC/DC band shirt."
"No, you're coming with me!"
"Argh..fine!" They walked around a group of people and turned right.
Max was looking behind while Austin searched in front when he spotted someone a few paces ahead, "Ummmnn, Max...was Randy wearing a letterman jacket?"
"Yea, you've seen h-" her sentence got cut short and her jaw dropped when she spotted him. He had his arms around a red headed girl and they were furiously making out.
Max had her hands in fists as she fumed. She looked just about to charge like an angry bull, "Aaaaaaaarrrrrggggghhh!!" She screamed so loud it made Austin jump.
Randy and the girl made out for quite some time before separating. Max and Austin were still watching when they recognized the girl he was with.
"Lira?!" They both cried out in unison with surprise and confusion.