More Than Friends And Brothers; Jason/Tommy
More Than Friends And Brothers, chapter 16: A Friend's Choice (pt 2 of 2)
(Ratings etc in my first post)
The group gradually split up into smaller units, each discussing different things or asking more questions of individuals. Tommy eventually excused himself from a stimulating conversation about morpher mechanics with Billy and Justin to take a trip to the bathroom. When he returned, he decided to step outside for a minute to catch some fresh air. He was looking out over the half-empty pool, musing on the evening's events and remembering the day he'd waited right here for Andros' call when he heard a light step approaching from behind. He turned and recognized Katherine in the moonlight, looking pretty as always, but with a troubled, almost anxious expression in her eyes.
"Hey, Kat," he said casually, gesturing her over.
She closed the distance between them hesitantly. "Hey yourself."
Something was clearly on her mind, and Tommy didn't need Billy or Justin's genius to figure out what it was. He waited for her to speak, but when she remained silent, fidgeting uncomfortably, he decided to spare her the effort of finding the right words. He came straight to the point. "Are you having problems with us? Jason and me, I mean?"
The blonde dancer shot him a look that was half chagrined at being so easy to read, and half grateful that he recognized her need to breach the subject once more. She sighed, then plunged ahead.
"Not as such - that you're with another man, I mean. Half the male dancers in my company were gay; if I'd had issues with that, I'd have missed out on making quite a few good friends. Although I must admit, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I realized …" She shrugged and smiled apologetically. "I don't think any of us saw that coming."
"We kinda figured that," he said dryly. "But if that isn't it - then what else is wrong? You do have something on your mind - something that troubles you. Haven't you?"
"Well … yes," she admitted in a small voice, then raised her chin determinedly. "Tommy, don't get me wrong; I'm glad you found someone you say you love. And I realize this is going to sound incredibly self-centered and maybe arrogant, even, but … did my breaking up with you have anything to do with your decision to get together with Jason?" she finished in a rush, blushing. "I'm sorry, but I need to know."
He smiled, having halfway expected the question. "Whether I was driven into a relationship that's … let's call it unconventional, huh … because we both decided to call it quits?"
"Something like that, yes."
Tommy tapped her flushed cheek with his fingers in a gentle, playful slap. "The answer's no. Kat, if you think back we both knew it wasn't working out. You want the big city and everything that goes with it. I'm not cut out for a big social life, red-carpet events, the arts and so on. That doesn't mean I can't enjoy stuff like that on occasion, but I don't thrive on it the way you do."
"Put like that, it sounds incredibly shallow," she frowned.
"Oh, I know you're not. There's nothing wrong about having and liking an active social life. You, and many other people, genuinely care about what you do, all those charity functions, soirées and whatnot. And I realize that there's a lot of merit in many of these activities, but it's just not me. Not on that scale, anyway. I like living in a small town, teaching, doing research, hanging out with a few close friends. Come crunch time, you'd have been as unhappy in my world as I'd be in yours, and since neither you nor I was ready to compromise, it was right and honest for us to end it. You just happened to be the one to say it first."
"Oh." She mulled over what he'd said. "Then … you getting together with Jason had nothing to do with m- … with us?"
"Nope." Seeing that Kat still looked dubious, Tommy decided that a few details were necessary to set her mind at ease. She deserved that much from him. "Kat … I'd gotten your letter several days before Jason revealed his feelings for me. Sure, it was part of the many crappy things that were going on in my life at the time, and yes, I was bummed out by it. A lot. After all, we'd been together for quite some time, and I really cared about you. But was it a deciding factor in starting my relationship with him? Not at all."
"What was?" Kat asked curiously. "If you don't mind telling me, that is."
Tommy let his mind wander back to that rainy night over five years ago. "As I said, my life was rather in a mess at the time - and getting your letter certainly contributed to my general depression. It just wasn't the main thing. Jase told me he loved me because he realized I needed to hear it, but that was all; he made no demands whatsoever. He laid it out, then completely left it up to me to choose to act on it - or not. The decision was wholly mine. And I'm glad I made the one I did."
"But … but you never indicated even once in our years together that you were, uh …"
"Attracted to him? Or to guys in general?"
"Um, both, I guess."
He rubbed his hand along his neck and blushed a little. "If you must know … I've had a fantasy or two," he confessed. "After all, I've always been close to Jason, and since he told me he was bi a couple of years earlier, I kinda got a little curious. But I never thought I'd act on these fantasies. Certainly not with any other guy."
"Just Jason?"
"Yeah. Like Justin and Kim said, he's special."
"I … see," Kat said slowly. She turned away, staring into the darkness. Then - "You really love him, don't you?" she asked abruptly.
"Uh huh. As soon as I admitted that to myself, something clicked in my mind. It just felt right, you know?"
"That's how it happened between me and André," she said slowly. "Marrying him means that eventually I'll have to give up my career, to be his full-time wife and a mother to the children we hope to have one day. At first I wasn't even sure whether I could do that, if I should accept his proposal, but when I realized I was totally miserable without him …"
"Exactly. Jason trusted me enough to offer me his heart. How could I possibly refuse?" Tommy asked rhetorically, a reminiscent smile on his lips. "After that … well, let's just say it was all but impossible to go back to being 'just' friends. And we surely wouldn't be where we are now - together, happy, and very much in love."
"Then I'm glad for you," Kat replied with a relieved smile. "Truly. For you and him."
"Thanks." Their eyes met, and with a small chuckle Tommy drew her into a light embrace and kissed her cheek. He found that he still liked having her gentle curves mold against him. "You have one advantage over Jase - you're easier to hug," he murmured into her hair. "Less … compact."
The tall blonde giggled. "I should think so. Don't let Jason hear you say that, though!"
"Don't let me hear him say what?" a deep voice came from behind her back, and Kat flinched, disengaging herself quickly.
"J-jason," she stuttered, clearly flustered at being found in Tommy's arms, however innocently. "I, ah, we didn't … I mean, we just … oh God …"
He came forward, a gentle smile on his lips. To her relief, the midnight-dark eyes were calm. "Hey, relax," Jason soothed her. "I know you did nothing to concern me. Are you okay?"
"We both are," Tommy said, but didn't try to hold on to his ex-girlfriend. "Aren't we, Kat?"
"Absolutely." She watched as Jason moved forward, past her, to stand next to his partner. They didn't touch, just shared a glance and a smile, and suddenly she had an impression as if they were actually embracing merely by that. Years ago, it would have disturbed her; now, it seemed quite natural. *What a shame for girls everywhere! I bet a lot of hearts were broken when you came out. But at least André won't have to worry about Tommy wanting me back or something. Actually …I think … no, I know André is going to like them!* Kat felt her mood shift suddenly and found herself bubbling with joy, for herself and her friends. It enabled her to tease them with a mock-regretful sigh as she let her eyes sweep over two of the most attractive men she knew - barring her fiancé, of course.
"You know, it's really unfair; if either one of you had to choose another guy, couldn't you at least have gone for someone short, fat or ugly?"
Jason grinned and cast a sideways look at his lover that made Tommy's breath catch in his throat. "Sorry. I like 'em tall, dark and gorgeous. Just like you, huh?" The picture she'd shown them of her future husband had clearly indicated that Kat remained true to type; Tommy in an Armani suit and a conventionally-stylish haircut would look a lot like the Canadian businessman.
"And me," Tommy murmured warmly, letting his eyes linger on Jason's broad chest, his impressive muscles subtly outlined by the soft fabric of his jersey shirt. He, too, was thinking that Kat's future husband had nothing on Jason in the good looks department.
Kat watched them not-so-surreptitiously ogle each other and had to laugh. "Touché. And I think that's my clue to leave this mutual admiration society, before you guys start seriously embarrassing me!" She snickered at the wholly unconvincing innocent expressions the men were striving for. On impulse, she kissed first Tommy, then Jason. "Be happy, guys." With a quick wave, she spun on her heels and went back inside.
***
"So, how was it to hold a woman again after five years of being with a man?" Jason casually asked Tommy once they were safely alone again.
Tommy started. "How did you -" He stopped himself. *Shit, of course Jase would know - he's had partners of both genders before you, remember?* "Never mind," he muttered, his face suffused with sudden color.
Jason grinned. "Been there, done that," he replied softly, confirming his lover's assumption. "Well, kinda, anyway. After the first time I'd been with a guy and found I liked it, it was sort of a relief to discover that I could still get a hard-on from seeing or touching a sexy girl. Didn't exactly make things easier when you're seventeen and trying to figure out your sexuality, but them's the breaks." He shrugged, then winked. "Well?"
"I didn't get a hard-on over Kat, if that's what you want to know," Tommy grumbled, then sighed. "I gotta admit, though, it felt good. I love having you against me, but …"
"But there's nothing quite like feeling a pair of tits smushed against your chest, right? And from what little I've seen, Kat's are as nice as they come," Jason said with a tiny leer.
"Keep your mind out of the gutter, Bro; as if I'd tell you! Not outside the bedroom, anyway," Tommy added under his breath, making his partner smirk. Then, he placed one hand on the broad shoulder. "You're not jealous, are you?"
Jason covered the long fingers with his own. "Nah. I trust you implicitly. Kat, too."
"Good." They stood side by side, connected only by the light touch of hands and their feelings for each other, a good silence settling over them. At last, Jason spoke, his voice pensive and hushed.
"You were right about the guys. They took it amazingly well - didn't judge us at all."
"I told you."
"Yeah. Still, coming out today could've gone terribly wrong. Especially when Zack started making those cracks."
"But it didn't - and I'm pretty certain he's not gonna do it again."
Jason snorted lightly. "I wouldn't count on it. You think I have a warped sense of humor? Just wait until he's had some time to think things over. Except for when you first tried to ask Kim out, you haven't given him that kind of ammunition yet. He's gonna come up with all sorts of things to tease us with."
Tommy groaned. "Oh, great." Then he recovered. "At least we can be sure it won't be malicious or mean, though."
"No. And I for one can live with a few jokes as long as it's among friends."
"Me, too." Tommy looked sideways at his lover, smiling warmly. "Life feels pretty good right now, doesn't it?"
Jason smiled back and squeezed Tommy's hand. "Very."
***
Both men were unaware that their quiet conversation was being observed from inside the cabana. Aisha, Justin and Tanya couldn't hear their words, but body language and facial expression told them a lot.
"They look good together," Tanya said softly. "I've seen them stand like this a number of times after Jason came back from Geneva, but I've never realized just how much feeling there is between them."
"Uh huh," Aisha agreed. "Still, I can't remember being this floored by news from anyone - and among the twelve of us, we've had a few doozies over the years!"
"Talk about something totally coming out of left field," Justin murmured. "Did anyone see that coming?"
"Trini, I think; she mentioned something a while ago. Does it bother you?"
Justin shrugged. "Me? Not particularly. It'll take a while to let it sink in because I've seen how gaga Tommy used to be over Kat, but other than that? Nope. They're as much my friends as my family; I want them to be happy."
"Which they seem to be," Tanya said. "And that's what matters, isn't it? Somehow I don't care that they're both guys."
"Family is the right word," Aisha nodded. "We all are. Anyway, what they do behind closed doors is none of our business. Same-sex orientation isn't catching, after all, and they're hardly the type to start groping each other in public."
"A pity, really," Tanya grinned wickedly. Seeing her companions' slightly scandalized looks, she laughed. "Come on, Ish - Jason and Tommy are hot guys by anyone's standard. Don't tell me the idea of them doing the naughty together, all nicely sweaty and nekkid, doesn't make you get at least a little, um, bothered!"
"Well …" Aisha drawled, instinctively licking her lips. "Now that you mention it, girlfriend …"
"Thanks for a mental image I so didn't need, ladies," Justin groaned comically. "Excuse me while I go looking for something more exciting to me - like talking quantum physics with Will and Trini!" He beat a hasty retreat as the two former Yellow Rangers snickered.
"Men," Aisha giggled. "They can be such prudes!"
"Yeah. Good thing Rocky didn't hear us, though - we might've shocked him right out of his collar!"
"Oh my, yes," Aisha gasped with suppressed laughter. "Where is he, anyway?"
"Beats me," Tanya frowned, looking around. "I don't see him. Maybe he's gone to the restroom?"
"Could be. Come on, let's see if there's some gin and tonic left; I could use another drink."
"Hmm, I'm kinda thirsty, too."
"Thirst has nothing to do with it," Aisha said dryly as he led her successor to the bar. "I need to drown my sorrow that two hot, intelligent, nice guys hooked up each other while I'm still single!"
Tanya laughed. "As if you didn't have tons of fun trying to catch one for yourself!"
***
Rocky hadn't gone to the bathroom as Tanya had surmised; he'd crossed to the other side of the pool for some quiet and solitude instead. There were a few things on his mind that he needed to sort out, and he couldn't do that in a happy, noisy group. He found a wooden bench almost hidden behind some foliage and started to think about his problem.
*Jason and Tommy. Or rather, their relationship.* As a friend, he knew what he felt about them as people, but as a future priest he couldn't ignore what he should be feeling about them as a couple. Therein lay Rocky's problem, and it was a big one. However, it was impossible to make any kind of decision on his further actions without having talked to them first, he concluded at last. *The question is, when and where?*
Rocky looked up from his meditatively-steepled hands and glanced towards the cabana; Tommy was standing not too far from the doorway, his shape outlined by the light streaming from the windows. Kat joined him; they talked, then hugged. Rocky felt a momentary relief that was instantly followed by slight shame; no matter what, he shouldn't condone what looked like betrayal between committed partners! He caught his breath as Jason stepped towards them, but there was no confrontation; instead, after another brief exchange of words, Katherine kissed both their cheeks before going back inside.
He observed the light, gentle touch Tommy offered Jason, and saw them smile at each other. The distance between them and his vantage point was too great to fully read their expressions, they were further obscured by the darkness, but even so it was obvious that the men shared a deep bond that went beyond friendship and thus could easily overlook a small, intimate yet innocent gesture towards a friend.
Rocky sighed as he unfurled from his seat. He really needed to talk to them - and the sooner, the better. However, he would have to choose a better opportunity.
Determinedly, he walked around the pool once more and approached Jason and Tommy. They heard his footsteps on the tiled path; as soon as they recognized him, Jason released Tommy's hand, letting it glide off his shoulder. Rocky noted absently that it was a natural, easy gesture, without a trace of guilt or shame. *Just like my brother lets go of his wife if someone catches them smooching at family gatherings.* The realization brought a reluctant smile to his face, and he managed to address them with a voice that was reasonably calm.
"Hey, guys."
"Rocky. What's up?" Tommy replied lightly. Jason just nodded.
Rocky briefly closed his eyes and sent up a quick, silent prayer that he might find the right words to say what he needed. Yet he had to swallow twice before he could find his voice.
"I-I need to talk to you."
Jason's smile vanished, and he stiffened slightly. "What about?" he asked warily.
"Something's that important - to me, anyway."
Tommy raised an eyebrow. "Sounds ominous."
Rocky tilted his head and made a somewhat helpless gesture. "It doesn't have to be. But this is neither the time nor the place. Can we meet somewhere private tomorrow? Please?"
Tommy exchanged a glance with Jason. After a second's hesitation, he received a minute nod. Turning back to Rocky, he shrugged. "Sure. Why don't we have breakfast together? There's an I-Hop right next to our hotel."
"Perfect. Around ten?"
"Why not. Now let's get back inside; I see Tanya's getting ready to sing for us. Wouldn't want to miss that."
"Me neither," Jason murmured, in what sounded to Rocky like forced cheerfulness, and led the way.
***
"What do you think Rocky wants to talk about?" Jason asked the next morning as they entered the well-lit restaurant. The regular breakfast crowd had already left, so they could choose a booth at the back, well away from the few remaining customers. Tommy signaled for coffee and reached for the menu, yawning. They'd had a late night, and instead of sleeping in as they'd planned, here they were waiting for their fellow Red Ranger.
"No idea, but I'm guessing it's about us," he replied, quickly making his selection as the server brought two steaming cups. "Pancakes, toast, bacon and two eggs, over easy."
"The same for me, please." Jason laid the menu aside and took a first sip of his coffee, nearly scalding his lips. "Damn, that's hot!"
"This place doesn't have to put warnings on the beverages yet," Rocky had come in right behind them, unnoticed, and slid into the booth as well. "Good morning, guys." He quickly placed his order as well.
"Morning, Rocko," his friends chorused. They chatted idly until their food arrived, then dug in. Only when they were finished, the platters removed and refills had been poured did Jason fix his one-time successor with a steady look.
"So what's so important that you had to drag us out of bed this early today?"
Rocky folded his hands around his mug. He wouldn't meet his friends' eyes as he weighed his words carefully - if he got it wrong, he might alienate Jason and Tommy completely, and he didn't want that to happen. If only he knew how to start! Gathering his courage at last, Rocky drew a deep breath and looked fully into their eyes. "There's no easy way of saying this," he began.
"Just spill it, man. Beating around a bush never does any good," Tommy said.
Rocky had to grin at the customary take-charge attitude, but what little humor there was vanished again right away. "Too true. Okay, then ... Jase, Tommy - please believe me when I say that I meant what I said last night. I honestly wish to see both of you happy. It's just … I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I'm not having a problem with your relationship."
"Because of your vocation, you mean?"
"It goes further than that. Accepting, or condoning a same-sex relationship is against everything my faith has taught me. In the eyes of the Church, homosexuality is a sin, and that's that," he said unhappily.
"No offense, Rocky, but neither one of us is Catholic, like you," Jason murmured. This was what they had feared, but at least Rocky seemed to be willing to listen. "And strictly speaking, we're both bisexual, not gay."
"I know, and I'm not trying to impose my faith onto you. But as far as being gay or bi is concerned … I just can't get past the fact that no matter how you look at it, the act is the same," Rocky replied. "I've prayed and turned it round in my mind all night, but the answer was always this - according to everything I believe in, what you're doing is wrong. My mind is trying to tell me it isn't, that you're still good men, but my gut says otherwise. It's driving me nuts." He laughed humorlessly. "As a priest, I'm supposed to love the person, hate the sin. I found out that it's one thing to do that when counseling strangers who are thinking about having homosexual leanings, quite another when it's two of my closest friends who are actively engaged in a same-sex relationship," he finished with a sigh.
"So in your eyes, we're committing a sin by being together?" Tommy asked.
"Yes … no … shoot, I don't know," Rocky replied, running both hands through his hair in a despairing gesture. "I know you guys; I'd swear any oath that you're good, honest, honorable men. We're almost family; I'm proud to be your friend. But …" He shook his head. "It's a major dilemma for me, and I don't know what to do!"
"Why do anything?" Jason wanted to know. "We're not trying to convert or corrupt anyone, we're not imposing our chosen lifestyle on other people …"
"That's exactly part of the problem, Jason," Rocky leaned forward earnestly. "You chose to enter a same-sex relationship. Therefore you can choose other partners if you truly want to. If you were true homosexuals it'd be all but impossible, I know, but as you aren't …" he let his voice trail off as he saw a flash of anger in Tommy's eyes.
"What do you expect us to do? Split up and go looking for some girl just so we can be 'normal'? Sorry, but things don't work that way," Tommy growled. "I'm not giving up on what Jase and I have to fit anyone's outdated notion of propriety!"
"You have a choice," Rocky insisted stubbornly, only to be interrupted by Jason.
"No, we don't."
"But …"
"Just listen, Rocky, okay?" Jason requested, waiting until Rocky grudgingly subsided.
"How do you choose love?" he asked next, his deep voice calm and measured. "I've loved Tommy as a friend, as the brother I never had practically from the start. You must've known that for years; surely not even your church has any objection to that, right?" He barely acknowledged Rocky's nod before he continued. "It was only when I discovered I was bisexual that I realized I was also in love with him. For years, I hid my feelings for fear I would destroy what we already had if I ever betrayed them to anyone." His tone rang with conviction as he continued. "I never asked to love another man, Rocky. That feeling grew within me without my volition, was given to me, and the only choice I ever had was whether to continue living a lie or to admit my feelings to Tommy. I chose honesty, and was fortunate that my feelings were - are - returned."
Jason drew a deep, shuddering breath, finding it harder than anticipated to lay his heart bare like that to someone other than Tommy. "Now you tell me if that is a sin!"
"Jase and I tried to find love with women, but as it turned out, neither one of us ever found one who could complete us the way we do each other, Rocky," Tommy added softly. "Would you really have us throw away something good and deep and true, just because some old man in Rome, or maybe society and convention in general, say it's not right? We can't do that. If we did, we'd be denying who and what we are - and I believe that that would be the real sin. Wouldn't it?"
Rocky had no answer. He desperately wanted to say yes, to find a way to refute what his friends had just revealed to him, but couldn't do it; the only argument he could think of was 'Everyone says so'. *That'd be lamer than a one-legged duck!* However, he also couldn't bring himself to just blithely go against every single one of his own beliefs. He slowly shook his head.
"I don't know. I truly don't know, guys. As your friend, I'm tempted to say 'okay, fine, forget about it, it's cool', but I am Catholic and will soon be a priest, and therefore bound to the teachings of my faith at the very least. I have to follow the Church's precepts - and they tell me unequivocally it's not cool, I can't forget it."
Helplessly, the three stared at each other. They had a brief respite when the server came by and topped up their coffees, but the conundrum remained, looming large over their heads.
"So what are we going to do?" Jason asked at last in a hushed voice. "You can't accept us, and we can't give up what we share. Where does that leave us as friends?"
Rocky sighed. "Unfortunately, at some distance, I'm afraid. I don't want to keep you at arm's length, but I feel that I have to. I'll certainly pray for guidance and will talk to one or two of my superiors, to see if they can help me sort it out, but until then …"
"I can see where you're coming from, even if it's not something I believe in myself, or even think is right. At least you're being honest with us," Tommy murmured unhappily.
"I have to be," Rocky said simply. "Even if it doesn't look that way right now, I'd still like to think of us as friends. I care about you as much as I care about my family. And I'll also pray that somehow, some day things will change and I'll get used to the idea of you as a couple. Different legislation or a readjustment of the Church's official policy might help; I think steps are being taken, or will be in the not-too-distant future. We'll have to wait and see."
"Fair enough," Jason replied. "But what about in the meantime? We're bound to run into each other from time to time; if only when the whole gang meets, like last night. What then?"
Rocky smiled a little. "Can we agree to pretend I don't know? You don't tell me about your relationship, and I'll refrain from trying to change your minds - not that I probably could, anyway," he shrugged. "That'll be my choice. I realize it's not ideal, but it's the only way I can think of."
"We'll have to tell the others as well, or it's never gonna work," Tommy muttered. "And it'll require some pretty fancy verbal tap-dancing from everyone. That sucks."
"Yes, it does. But if it's okay with you, I'll tell them and explain," Rocky offered. "After all, it's more my problem than yours."
Jason and Tommy shared a long look, communicating silently, before Jason made the decision for both of them.
"Thanks, we appreciate it. And thanks as well for not condemning us outright," he added quietly, the memory of his parents' rejection haunting him once more. At least their extended family of friends remained more or less intact, despite Rocky's caveat!
"I'd never do that. Thank you for trying to understand my position."
"It's the least we can do," Tommy said.
"Exactly," Rocky smiled, then heaved himself to his feet. He picked up his bill and prepared to leave. "If I hurry, I can still make it to Mass at Sacred Heart," he said apologetically. "Might as well start praying for guidance right now."
"Good luck with that," Tommy smiled back.
"Yeah - and if you can, throw in a prayer for everyone's happiness?" Jason requested.
"I always do. Vaya con Dios, guys." With a parting wave, he left.
*'Go with God'. How fitting.* Pensively, Jason finished his coffee. "That wasn't as bad as I'd feared," he said at last. "I'm not thrilled that Rocky feels the way he does, but at least he hasn't slammed any doors in our faces."
"No. And things are changing; who knows, maybe one day he'll even get to marry a same-sex couple."
"As a Catholic priest, in a Church?" Jason snorted. "Not bloody likely. Not until Hell freezes over, anyway."
"Oh ye of little faith," Tommy said lightly, sliding out of their booth. It was nearing noon; they needed to pack, drop in at the Olivers' house to say good-bye and drive home to Reefside. "Stranger things have happened."
"Oh yeah? Like what?" Jason glanced briefly at the bill, took the correct amount of notes from his wallet and handed them to the cashier. Side by side, they left the restaurant and walked the short distance back to their motel.
His partner grinned. "Let's see … you being picked by a floating head in a giant tube to fight an evil space sorceress. Her picking me to fight you. Going into space together to fight a giant mechanical dragon. Me getting a doctorate in paleontology. Us becoming lovers. You baking a cake that's actually edible - hey!" He barely managed to duck Jason's playful punch.
"The strangest thing that ever happened is that we love each other," Jason said softly once they were back in the privacy of their room and slid his arms around Tommy's waist. He didn't resist when Tommy tightened the embrace and nuzzled his cheek.
"That's not the strangest thing," Tommy murmured. "It's the best!" His lips closed over Jason's in a deep yet gentle kiss.
Jason moaned contentedly as he accepted the questing tongue. *Damn right it is!*
To Be Continued …
List of 22: acceptance (original), #6: family and #8: friendship (reprises)
(Ratings etc in my first post)
The group gradually split up into smaller units, each discussing different things or asking more questions of individuals. Tommy eventually excused himself from a stimulating conversation about morpher mechanics with Billy and Justin to take a trip to the bathroom. When he returned, he decided to step outside for a minute to catch some fresh air. He was looking out over the half-empty pool, musing on the evening's events and remembering the day he'd waited right here for Andros' call when he heard a light step approaching from behind. He turned and recognized Katherine in the moonlight, looking pretty as always, but with a troubled, almost anxious expression in her eyes.
"Hey, Kat," he said casually, gesturing her over.
She closed the distance between them hesitantly. "Hey yourself."
Something was clearly on her mind, and Tommy didn't need Billy or Justin's genius to figure out what it was. He waited for her to speak, but when she remained silent, fidgeting uncomfortably, he decided to spare her the effort of finding the right words. He came straight to the point. "Are you having problems with us? Jason and me, I mean?"
The blonde dancer shot him a look that was half chagrined at being so easy to read, and half grateful that he recognized her need to breach the subject once more. She sighed, then plunged ahead.
"Not as such - that you're with another man, I mean. Half the male dancers in my company were gay; if I'd had issues with that, I'd have missed out on making quite a few good friends. Although I must admit, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I realized …" She shrugged and smiled apologetically. "I don't think any of us saw that coming."
"We kinda figured that," he said dryly. "But if that isn't it - then what else is wrong? You do have something on your mind - something that troubles you. Haven't you?"
"Well … yes," she admitted in a small voice, then raised her chin determinedly. "Tommy, don't get me wrong; I'm glad you found someone you say you love. And I realize this is going to sound incredibly self-centered and maybe arrogant, even, but … did my breaking up with you have anything to do with your decision to get together with Jason?" she finished in a rush, blushing. "I'm sorry, but I need to know."
He smiled, having halfway expected the question. "Whether I was driven into a relationship that's … let's call it unconventional, huh … because we both decided to call it quits?"
"Something like that, yes."
Tommy tapped her flushed cheek with his fingers in a gentle, playful slap. "The answer's no. Kat, if you think back we both knew it wasn't working out. You want the big city and everything that goes with it. I'm not cut out for a big social life, red-carpet events, the arts and so on. That doesn't mean I can't enjoy stuff like that on occasion, but I don't thrive on it the way you do."
"Put like that, it sounds incredibly shallow," she frowned.
"Oh, I know you're not. There's nothing wrong about having and liking an active social life. You, and many other people, genuinely care about what you do, all those charity functions, soirées and whatnot. And I realize that there's a lot of merit in many of these activities, but it's just not me. Not on that scale, anyway. I like living in a small town, teaching, doing research, hanging out with a few close friends. Come crunch time, you'd have been as unhappy in my world as I'd be in yours, and since neither you nor I was ready to compromise, it was right and honest for us to end it. You just happened to be the one to say it first."
"Oh." She mulled over what he'd said. "Then … you getting together with Jason had nothing to do with m- … with us?"
"Nope." Seeing that Kat still looked dubious, Tommy decided that a few details were necessary to set her mind at ease. She deserved that much from him. "Kat … I'd gotten your letter several days before Jason revealed his feelings for me. Sure, it was part of the many crappy things that were going on in my life at the time, and yes, I was bummed out by it. A lot. After all, we'd been together for quite some time, and I really cared about you. But was it a deciding factor in starting my relationship with him? Not at all."
"What was?" Kat asked curiously. "If you don't mind telling me, that is."
Tommy let his mind wander back to that rainy night over five years ago. "As I said, my life was rather in a mess at the time - and getting your letter certainly contributed to my general depression. It just wasn't the main thing. Jase told me he loved me because he realized I needed to hear it, but that was all; he made no demands whatsoever. He laid it out, then completely left it up to me to choose to act on it - or not. The decision was wholly mine. And I'm glad I made the one I did."
"But … but you never indicated even once in our years together that you were, uh …"
"Attracted to him? Or to guys in general?"
"Um, both, I guess."
He rubbed his hand along his neck and blushed a little. "If you must know … I've had a fantasy or two," he confessed. "After all, I've always been close to Jason, and since he told me he was bi a couple of years earlier, I kinda got a little curious. But I never thought I'd act on these fantasies. Certainly not with any other guy."
"Just Jason?"
"Yeah. Like Justin and Kim said, he's special."
"I … see," Kat said slowly. She turned away, staring into the darkness. Then - "You really love him, don't you?" she asked abruptly.
"Uh huh. As soon as I admitted that to myself, something clicked in my mind. It just felt right, you know?"
"That's how it happened between me and André," she said slowly. "Marrying him means that eventually I'll have to give up my career, to be his full-time wife and a mother to the children we hope to have one day. At first I wasn't even sure whether I could do that, if I should accept his proposal, but when I realized I was totally miserable without him …"
"Exactly. Jason trusted me enough to offer me his heart. How could I possibly refuse?" Tommy asked rhetorically, a reminiscent smile on his lips. "After that … well, let's just say it was all but impossible to go back to being 'just' friends. And we surely wouldn't be where we are now - together, happy, and very much in love."
"Then I'm glad for you," Kat replied with a relieved smile. "Truly. For you and him."
"Thanks." Their eyes met, and with a small chuckle Tommy drew her into a light embrace and kissed her cheek. He found that he still liked having her gentle curves mold against him. "You have one advantage over Jase - you're easier to hug," he murmured into her hair. "Less … compact."
The tall blonde giggled. "I should think so. Don't let Jason hear you say that, though!"
"Don't let me hear him say what?" a deep voice came from behind her back, and Kat flinched, disengaging herself quickly.
"J-jason," she stuttered, clearly flustered at being found in Tommy's arms, however innocently. "I, ah, we didn't … I mean, we just … oh God …"
He came forward, a gentle smile on his lips. To her relief, the midnight-dark eyes were calm. "Hey, relax," Jason soothed her. "I know you did nothing to concern me. Are you okay?"
"We both are," Tommy said, but didn't try to hold on to his ex-girlfriend. "Aren't we, Kat?"
"Absolutely." She watched as Jason moved forward, past her, to stand next to his partner. They didn't touch, just shared a glance and a smile, and suddenly she had an impression as if they were actually embracing merely by that. Years ago, it would have disturbed her; now, it seemed quite natural. *What a shame for girls everywhere! I bet a lot of hearts were broken when you came out. But at least André won't have to worry about Tommy wanting me back or something. Actually …I think … no, I know André is going to like them!* Kat felt her mood shift suddenly and found herself bubbling with joy, for herself and her friends. It enabled her to tease them with a mock-regretful sigh as she let her eyes sweep over two of the most attractive men she knew - barring her fiancé, of course.
"You know, it's really unfair; if either one of you had to choose another guy, couldn't you at least have gone for someone short, fat or ugly?"
Jason grinned and cast a sideways look at his lover that made Tommy's breath catch in his throat. "Sorry. I like 'em tall, dark and gorgeous. Just like you, huh?" The picture she'd shown them of her future husband had clearly indicated that Kat remained true to type; Tommy in an Armani suit and a conventionally-stylish haircut would look a lot like the Canadian businessman.
"And me," Tommy murmured warmly, letting his eyes linger on Jason's broad chest, his impressive muscles subtly outlined by the soft fabric of his jersey shirt. He, too, was thinking that Kat's future husband had nothing on Jason in the good looks department.
Kat watched them not-so-surreptitiously ogle each other and had to laugh. "Touché. And I think that's my clue to leave this mutual admiration society, before you guys start seriously embarrassing me!" She snickered at the wholly unconvincing innocent expressions the men were striving for. On impulse, she kissed first Tommy, then Jason. "Be happy, guys." With a quick wave, she spun on her heels and went back inside.
***
"So, how was it to hold a woman again after five years of being with a man?" Jason casually asked Tommy once they were safely alone again.
Tommy started. "How did you -" He stopped himself. *Shit, of course Jase would know - he's had partners of both genders before you, remember?* "Never mind," he muttered, his face suffused with sudden color.
Jason grinned. "Been there, done that," he replied softly, confirming his lover's assumption. "Well, kinda, anyway. After the first time I'd been with a guy and found I liked it, it was sort of a relief to discover that I could still get a hard-on from seeing or touching a sexy girl. Didn't exactly make things easier when you're seventeen and trying to figure out your sexuality, but them's the breaks." He shrugged, then winked. "Well?"
"I didn't get a hard-on over Kat, if that's what you want to know," Tommy grumbled, then sighed. "I gotta admit, though, it felt good. I love having you against me, but …"
"But there's nothing quite like feeling a pair of tits smushed against your chest, right? And from what little I've seen, Kat's are as nice as they come," Jason said with a tiny leer.
"Keep your mind out of the gutter, Bro; as if I'd tell you! Not outside the bedroom, anyway," Tommy added under his breath, making his partner smirk. Then, he placed one hand on the broad shoulder. "You're not jealous, are you?"
Jason covered the long fingers with his own. "Nah. I trust you implicitly. Kat, too."
"Good." They stood side by side, connected only by the light touch of hands and their feelings for each other, a good silence settling over them. At last, Jason spoke, his voice pensive and hushed.
"You were right about the guys. They took it amazingly well - didn't judge us at all."
"I told you."
"Yeah. Still, coming out today could've gone terribly wrong. Especially when Zack started making those cracks."
"But it didn't - and I'm pretty certain he's not gonna do it again."
Jason snorted lightly. "I wouldn't count on it. You think I have a warped sense of humor? Just wait until he's had some time to think things over. Except for when you first tried to ask Kim out, you haven't given him that kind of ammunition yet. He's gonna come up with all sorts of things to tease us with."
Tommy groaned. "Oh, great." Then he recovered. "At least we can be sure it won't be malicious or mean, though."
"No. And I for one can live with a few jokes as long as it's among friends."
"Me, too." Tommy looked sideways at his lover, smiling warmly. "Life feels pretty good right now, doesn't it?"
Jason smiled back and squeezed Tommy's hand. "Very."
***
Both men were unaware that their quiet conversation was being observed from inside the cabana. Aisha, Justin and Tanya couldn't hear their words, but body language and facial expression told them a lot.
"They look good together," Tanya said softly. "I've seen them stand like this a number of times after Jason came back from Geneva, but I've never realized just how much feeling there is between them."
"Uh huh," Aisha agreed. "Still, I can't remember being this floored by news from anyone - and among the twelve of us, we've had a few doozies over the years!"
"Talk about something totally coming out of left field," Justin murmured. "Did anyone see that coming?"
"Trini, I think; she mentioned something a while ago. Does it bother you?"
Justin shrugged. "Me? Not particularly. It'll take a while to let it sink in because I've seen how gaga Tommy used to be over Kat, but other than that? Nope. They're as much my friends as my family; I want them to be happy."
"Which they seem to be," Tanya said. "And that's what matters, isn't it? Somehow I don't care that they're both guys."
"Family is the right word," Aisha nodded. "We all are. Anyway, what they do behind closed doors is none of our business. Same-sex orientation isn't catching, after all, and they're hardly the type to start groping each other in public."
"A pity, really," Tanya grinned wickedly. Seeing her companions' slightly scandalized looks, she laughed. "Come on, Ish - Jason and Tommy are hot guys by anyone's standard. Don't tell me the idea of them doing the naughty together, all nicely sweaty and nekkid, doesn't make you get at least a little, um, bothered!"
"Well …" Aisha drawled, instinctively licking her lips. "Now that you mention it, girlfriend …"
"Thanks for a mental image I so didn't need, ladies," Justin groaned comically. "Excuse me while I go looking for something more exciting to me - like talking quantum physics with Will and Trini!" He beat a hasty retreat as the two former Yellow Rangers snickered.
"Men," Aisha giggled. "They can be such prudes!"
"Yeah. Good thing Rocky didn't hear us, though - we might've shocked him right out of his collar!"
"Oh my, yes," Aisha gasped with suppressed laughter. "Where is he, anyway?"
"Beats me," Tanya frowned, looking around. "I don't see him. Maybe he's gone to the restroom?"
"Could be. Come on, let's see if there's some gin and tonic left; I could use another drink."
"Hmm, I'm kinda thirsty, too."
"Thirst has nothing to do with it," Aisha said dryly as he led her successor to the bar. "I need to drown my sorrow that two hot, intelligent, nice guys hooked up each other while I'm still single!"
Tanya laughed. "As if you didn't have tons of fun trying to catch one for yourself!"
***
Rocky hadn't gone to the bathroom as Tanya had surmised; he'd crossed to the other side of the pool for some quiet and solitude instead. There were a few things on his mind that he needed to sort out, and he couldn't do that in a happy, noisy group. He found a wooden bench almost hidden behind some foliage and started to think about his problem.
*Jason and Tommy. Or rather, their relationship.* As a friend, he knew what he felt about them as people, but as a future priest he couldn't ignore what he should be feeling about them as a couple. Therein lay Rocky's problem, and it was a big one. However, it was impossible to make any kind of decision on his further actions without having talked to them first, he concluded at last. *The question is, when and where?*
Rocky looked up from his meditatively-steepled hands and glanced towards the cabana; Tommy was standing not too far from the doorway, his shape outlined by the light streaming from the windows. Kat joined him; they talked, then hugged. Rocky felt a momentary relief that was instantly followed by slight shame; no matter what, he shouldn't condone what looked like betrayal between committed partners! He caught his breath as Jason stepped towards them, but there was no confrontation; instead, after another brief exchange of words, Katherine kissed both their cheeks before going back inside.
He observed the light, gentle touch Tommy offered Jason, and saw them smile at each other. The distance between them and his vantage point was too great to fully read their expressions, they were further obscured by the darkness, but even so it was obvious that the men shared a deep bond that went beyond friendship and thus could easily overlook a small, intimate yet innocent gesture towards a friend.
Rocky sighed as he unfurled from his seat. He really needed to talk to them - and the sooner, the better. However, he would have to choose a better opportunity.
Determinedly, he walked around the pool once more and approached Jason and Tommy. They heard his footsteps on the tiled path; as soon as they recognized him, Jason released Tommy's hand, letting it glide off his shoulder. Rocky noted absently that it was a natural, easy gesture, without a trace of guilt or shame. *Just like my brother lets go of his wife if someone catches them smooching at family gatherings.* The realization brought a reluctant smile to his face, and he managed to address them with a voice that was reasonably calm.
"Hey, guys."
"Rocky. What's up?" Tommy replied lightly. Jason just nodded.
Rocky briefly closed his eyes and sent up a quick, silent prayer that he might find the right words to say what he needed. Yet he had to swallow twice before he could find his voice.
"I-I need to talk to you."
Jason's smile vanished, and he stiffened slightly. "What about?" he asked warily.
"Something's that important - to me, anyway."
Tommy raised an eyebrow. "Sounds ominous."
Rocky tilted his head and made a somewhat helpless gesture. "It doesn't have to be. But this is neither the time nor the place. Can we meet somewhere private tomorrow? Please?"
Tommy exchanged a glance with Jason. After a second's hesitation, he received a minute nod. Turning back to Rocky, he shrugged. "Sure. Why don't we have breakfast together? There's an I-Hop right next to our hotel."
"Perfect. Around ten?"
"Why not. Now let's get back inside; I see Tanya's getting ready to sing for us. Wouldn't want to miss that."
"Me neither," Jason murmured, in what sounded to Rocky like forced cheerfulness, and led the way.
***
"What do you think Rocky wants to talk about?" Jason asked the next morning as they entered the well-lit restaurant. The regular breakfast crowd had already left, so they could choose a booth at the back, well away from the few remaining customers. Tommy signaled for coffee and reached for the menu, yawning. They'd had a late night, and instead of sleeping in as they'd planned, here they were waiting for their fellow Red Ranger.
"No idea, but I'm guessing it's about us," he replied, quickly making his selection as the server brought two steaming cups. "Pancakes, toast, bacon and two eggs, over easy."
"The same for me, please." Jason laid the menu aside and took a first sip of his coffee, nearly scalding his lips. "Damn, that's hot!"
"This place doesn't have to put warnings on the beverages yet," Rocky had come in right behind them, unnoticed, and slid into the booth as well. "Good morning, guys." He quickly placed his order as well.
"Morning, Rocko," his friends chorused. They chatted idly until their food arrived, then dug in. Only when they were finished, the platters removed and refills had been poured did Jason fix his one-time successor with a steady look.
"So what's so important that you had to drag us out of bed this early today?"
Rocky folded his hands around his mug. He wouldn't meet his friends' eyes as he weighed his words carefully - if he got it wrong, he might alienate Jason and Tommy completely, and he didn't want that to happen. If only he knew how to start! Gathering his courage at last, Rocky drew a deep breath and looked fully into their eyes. "There's no easy way of saying this," he began.
"Just spill it, man. Beating around a bush never does any good," Tommy said.
Rocky had to grin at the customary take-charge attitude, but what little humor there was vanished again right away. "Too true. Okay, then ... Jase, Tommy - please believe me when I say that I meant what I said last night. I honestly wish to see both of you happy. It's just … I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I'm not having a problem with your relationship."
"Because of your vocation, you mean?"
"It goes further than that. Accepting, or condoning a same-sex relationship is against everything my faith has taught me. In the eyes of the Church, homosexuality is a sin, and that's that," he said unhappily.
"No offense, Rocky, but neither one of us is Catholic, like you," Jason murmured. This was what they had feared, but at least Rocky seemed to be willing to listen. "And strictly speaking, we're both bisexual, not gay."
"I know, and I'm not trying to impose my faith onto you. But as far as being gay or bi is concerned … I just can't get past the fact that no matter how you look at it, the act is the same," Rocky replied. "I've prayed and turned it round in my mind all night, but the answer was always this - according to everything I believe in, what you're doing is wrong. My mind is trying to tell me it isn't, that you're still good men, but my gut says otherwise. It's driving me nuts." He laughed humorlessly. "As a priest, I'm supposed to love the person, hate the sin. I found out that it's one thing to do that when counseling strangers who are thinking about having homosexual leanings, quite another when it's two of my closest friends who are actively engaged in a same-sex relationship," he finished with a sigh.
"So in your eyes, we're committing a sin by being together?" Tommy asked.
"Yes … no … shoot, I don't know," Rocky replied, running both hands through his hair in a despairing gesture. "I know you guys; I'd swear any oath that you're good, honest, honorable men. We're almost family; I'm proud to be your friend. But …" He shook his head. "It's a major dilemma for me, and I don't know what to do!"
"Why do anything?" Jason wanted to know. "We're not trying to convert or corrupt anyone, we're not imposing our chosen lifestyle on other people …"
"That's exactly part of the problem, Jason," Rocky leaned forward earnestly. "You chose to enter a same-sex relationship. Therefore you can choose other partners if you truly want to. If you were true homosexuals it'd be all but impossible, I know, but as you aren't …" he let his voice trail off as he saw a flash of anger in Tommy's eyes.
"What do you expect us to do? Split up and go looking for some girl just so we can be 'normal'? Sorry, but things don't work that way," Tommy growled. "I'm not giving up on what Jase and I have to fit anyone's outdated notion of propriety!"
"You have a choice," Rocky insisted stubbornly, only to be interrupted by Jason.
"No, we don't."
"But …"
"Just listen, Rocky, okay?" Jason requested, waiting until Rocky grudgingly subsided.
"How do you choose love?" he asked next, his deep voice calm and measured. "I've loved Tommy as a friend, as the brother I never had practically from the start. You must've known that for years; surely not even your church has any objection to that, right?" He barely acknowledged Rocky's nod before he continued. "It was only when I discovered I was bisexual that I realized I was also in love with him. For years, I hid my feelings for fear I would destroy what we already had if I ever betrayed them to anyone." His tone rang with conviction as he continued. "I never asked to love another man, Rocky. That feeling grew within me without my volition, was given to me, and the only choice I ever had was whether to continue living a lie or to admit my feelings to Tommy. I chose honesty, and was fortunate that my feelings were - are - returned."
Jason drew a deep, shuddering breath, finding it harder than anticipated to lay his heart bare like that to someone other than Tommy. "Now you tell me if that is a sin!"
"Jase and I tried to find love with women, but as it turned out, neither one of us ever found one who could complete us the way we do each other, Rocky," Tommy added softly. "Would you really have us throw away something good and deep and true, just because some old man in Rome, or maybe society and convention in general, say it's not right? We can't do that. If we did, we'd be denying who and what we are - and I believe that that would be the real sin. Wouldn't it?"
Rocky had no answer. He desperately wanted to say yes, to find a way to refute what his friends had just revealed to him, but couldn't do it; the only argument he could think of was 'Everyone says so'. *That'd be lamer than a one-legged duck!* However, he also couldn't bring himself to just blithely go against every single one of his own beliefs. He slowly shook his head.
"I don't know. I truly don't know, guys. As your friend, I'm tempted to say 'okay, fine, forget about it, it's cool', but I am Catholic and will soon be a priest, and therefore bound to the teachings of my faith at the very least. I have to follow the Church's precepts - and they tell me unequivocally it's not cool, I can't forget it."
Helplessly, the three stared at each other. They had a brief respite when the server came by and topped up their coffees, but the conundrum remained, looming large over their heads.
"So what are we going to do?" Jason asked at last in a hushed voice. "You can't accept us, and we can't give up what we share. Where does that leave us as friends?"
Rocky sighed. "Unfortunately, at some distance, I'm afraid. I don't want to keep you at arm's length, but I feel that I have to. I'll certainly pray for guidance and will talk to one or two of my superiors, to see if they can help me sort it out, but until then …"
"I can see where you're coming from, even if it's not something I believe in myself, or even think is right. At least you're being honest with us," Tommy murmured unhappily.
"I have to be," Rocky said simply. "Even if it doesn't look that way right now, I'd still like to think of us as friends. I care about you as much as I care about my family. And I'll also pray that somehow, some day things will change and I'll get used to the idea of you as a couple. Different legislation or a readjustment of the Church's official policy might help; I think steps are being taken, or will be in the not-too-distant future. We'll have to wait and see."
"Fair enough," Jason replied. "But what about in the meantime? We're bound to run into each other from time to time; if only when the whole gang meets, like last night. What then?"
Rocky smiled a little. "Can we agree to pretend I don't know? You don't tell me about your relationship, and I'll refrain from trying to change your minds - not that I probably could, anyway," he shrugged. "That'll be my choice. I realize it's not ideal, but it's the only way I can think of."
"We'll have to tell the others as well, or it's never gonna work," Tommy muttered. "And it'll require some pretty fancy verbal tap-dancing from everyone. That sucks."
"Yes, it does. But if it's okay with you, I'll tell them and explain," Rocky offered. "After all, it's more my problem than yours."
Jason and Tommy shared a long look, communicating silently, before Jason made the decision for both of them.
"Thanks, we appreciate it. And thanks as well for not condemning us outright," he added quietly, the memory of his parents' rejection haunting him once more. At least their extended family of friends remained more or less intact, despite Rocky's caveat!
"I'd never do that. Thank you for trying to understand my position."
"It's the least we can do," Tommy said.
"Exactly," Rocky smiled, then heaved himself to his feet. He picked up his bill and prepared to leave. "If I hurry, I can still make it to Mass at Sacred Heart," he said apologetically. "Might as well start praying for guidance right now."
"Good luck with that," Tommy smiled back.
"Yeah - and if you can, throw in a prayer for everyone's happiness?" Jason requested.
"I always do. Vaya con Dios, guys." With a parting wave, he left.
*'Go with God'. How fitting.* Pensively, Jason finished his coffee. "That wasn't as bad as I'd feared," he said at last. "I'm not thrilled that Rocky feels the way he does, but at least he hasn't slammed any doors in our faces."
"No. And things are changing; who knows, maybe one day he'll even get to marry a same-sex couple."
"As a Catholic priest, in a Church?" Jason snorted. "Not bloody likely. Not until Hell freezes over, anyway."
"Oh ye of little faith," Tommy said lightly, sliding out of their booth. It was nearing noon; they needed to pack, drop in at the Olivers' house to say good-bye and drive home to Reefside. "Stranger things have happened."
"Oh yeah? Like what?" Jason glanced briefly at the bill, took the correct amount of notes from his wallet and handed them to the cashier. Side by side, they left the restaurant and walked the short distance back to their motel.
His partner grinned. "Let's see … you being picked by a floating head in a giant tube to fight an evil space sorceress. Her picking me to fight you. Going into space together to fight a giant mechanical dragon. Me getting a doctorate in paleontology. Us becoming lovers. You baking a cake that's actually edible - hey!" He barely managed to duck Jason's playful punch.
"The strangest thing that ever happened is that we love each other," Jason said softly once they were back in the privacy of their room and slid his arms around Tommy's waist. He didn't resist when Tommy tightened the embrace and nuzzled his cheek.
"That's not the strangest thing," Tommy murmured. "It's the best!" His lips closed over Jason's in a deep yet gentle kiss.
Jason moaned contentedly as he accepted the questing tongue. *Damn right it is!*
To Be Continued …
List of 22: acceptance (original), #6: family and #8: friendship (reprises)