Trial Of Strength (Book 14)

"BOB & RANDY - IN SICKNESS & IN HEALTH"

The tribe is following its usual oversexed routine when suddenly a dramatic even occurs, involving Bob, that shakes them all. Randy insists on staying with Bob throughout the crisis in the belief that if his stays close Bob will never leave him, or the world. ”He’d never leave me,” Randy insists, “won’t ever happen.  We’re in it for the long haul – together.”

---

<><>     Mark Has Doubts    <><>

In a tight-knit fraternity as large as this tribe of highly-sexed men there was bound to be much discussion about love and relationships, a lot of experimentation too. 

But, as happens in any community anywhere, sometimes an event comes out of the blue that knocks the group’s plans and perspectives sideways – renders them insignificant in the face of this sudden unexpected event.  The guys were about to live through such a moment.

The discussion this time centered on the cop Mark who was becoming uncertain about having two boys – the young surfer Jamie and Jamie’s new friend Felipe.  He was sharing his doubts with his good buddy, the Marine Hassan.    

They both expressed their pride in their boys but Mark said, “You know, Hassan, a man being proud of his boy comes with a price.  Previously when Jamie was surfing just for fun, he’d always rush back and be waiting for me naked on the bed when I got home from work hot and horny.  But now he’s got an important job to do, coordinating the surfing action on Grady’s lifeguard movie

“And now Felipe has started to work with him at the beach location, supervising the catering.  On days like today, Jamie’s down at the beach living it up with Felipe and their other buddies.  They’ll be working late and have an early call tomorrow so they’ll be spending the night with the cast and crew at the hotel on the beach.  So where does that leave me, Hassan?”

“It leaves you where you always were, stud – head of the family.  It’s not simple, but you’ll work it out.  I suggest you sit down with the two of them and have a heart-to-hearter to lay some ground rules.”

“You’re right, buddy.  One thing we got going for us is that we all love each other.  And I gotta say, sex with the two of them together is pretty spectacular.” Mark grinned roguishly. “And if all else fails, your basement dungeon is a great substitute.”

Mark and Hassan had already had ferocious sex in Hassan’s basement and it was natural that they would now spend the night together.  But still Mark’s mind kept wandering to Jamie and wondering what he was doing – what he and Felipe were doing.

Next morning, after breakfast together, both men put on their uniforms and went to work – Hassan at the Marine base, Mark patrolling the meaner streets of Los Angeles astride his police motorcycle.  As always, the throbbing bike under his ass made his cock hard and, as usual, he got home feeling horny and ready to fuck.  But what was not like old times was the absence of Jamie waiting naked on the bed, longing to get fucked by the uniformed cop.

He sighed when he went into the empty bedroom.  This was the third night running that Jamie had not been there to greet him, and now there was no knowing what time he would be home.  Movie schedules were never reliable.  It was the nature of filming at the beach that things changed and ran late all the time, depending on the waves, winds and clouds.

In any case, Jamie and Felipe had no doubt had their fill of sex while at the beach hotel, so Jamie would hardly be in the mood to make love when he got home.  So Mark just had to satisfy his own sexual urges by jerking off.  He always enjoyed watching the two handsome boys making love so that’s what he would imagine now – always sure to make him cum.

But just as he was pulling down his zipper his phone rang.  “Hello, sir!  We’re on our way home.”  Mark heard Hassan’s boy Eddy giggling behind him.  “Nate, stop that.  I’m saving myself for my Marine.  Quit it, dude.”

Jamie cut them off.  “Never mind them, sir.  Felipe and I will be with you in about twenty minutes after we’ve dropped off Eddie and Nate.”

The phone went dead and Mark smiled.  They certainly sounded like a merry foursome, and he was glad they were all having such a great time together.  But again came that nagging thought ... where did he fit into these youthful high spirits?”

He opened a bottle of wine and got out four glasses.  He was sipping wine when he heard Jamie’s truck screech to a halt.   They burst into the room with their arms round each other, each tanned and laughing at some joke they had just shared.  They threw themselves at Mark, and in no time the bed was a heaving mass of naked muscles.  No need to jerk off this evening ... there was a succession of mouths and butts to excite the blond cop’s long, stiff dick.  With a good dose of frustration thrown in.

There was Jamie, lying on his back on the bed, the beautiful blond surfer offering his perfect ass to this man as he stripped off his cop uniform.  But this time, just as Mark was about to bust his load inside him, Jamie pulled away, to be immediately replaced by the handsome young Latino Felipe, squirming onto the pulsing cock of the cop, who barely missed a beat.

Jamie and Felipe were a great team, trading places, pleasuring the eager cop, teasing, exciting, frustrating Mark, bringing him to the edge of his climax before the exquisite denial.  He begged the boys for release and eventually they had mercy.  “Let me feel your hot jizz in my ass, sir,” Jamie said. “I’ve been thinking about it all day.  Yeah, do it, cop ... now! ...”

Mark’s cock erupted in the surfer’s ass as Jamie climaxed without touching himself – his usual spontaneous orgasm.  Mark had no time to recover before Jamie was replaced by Felipe, who rode Mark’s pole to a second climax, this time inside the young Latino’s ass.

<><>    The Mood Changes – Everything Changes    <><>

“So, you do still love me,” Mark laughed as the three of them relaxed on the bed in each other’s arms.  “I thought you two might be getting enough sex with each other down at the beach.

“Sir,” Jamie smiled, “we play with each other sure, but there is nothing in the world as good as sex with you.”

At that moment guys downstairs were starting to come home from work and, of course, they heard the unmistakable joyful sounds of love-making from Mark’s ground-floor apartment.  The first to join them was Bob, who had been on his way to see Mark on a business matter.”

“Hey, dude,” Mark laughed, “you come to join us?”

“Looks like you guys have exhausted each other already,” Bob smiled.  But it wasn’t his usual gleaming smile.  It was a weak pallid attempt, very unlike the handsome Bob who now looked pale and worn out.

“Hey, buddy, you’re looking tired. You been working too hard?”

“Yeah, I guess.  Been at it all day in my office.”

He didn’t even sound like the usually energetic leader of the tribe and they noticed that he was slurring his words – “offf..ish” instead of office.

“You should really take it easy, dude.  Randy will take care of that when he gets home.  I think I hear him now.”

“Take care of what?” came Randy’s raucous voice.  The macho construction boss didn’t so much enter a room as burst in – a force of nature rather than a mere mortal.  And his manner was just as overpowering.

“So this is where all the action is,” he boomed.  “And trust you to be in the thick of it, Bob.  Hey, come to think of it, dude, you look like shit.”

“Been working too hard,” Mark said.

“Aaah, a couple a’ strong arms will take care of that.”  Randy opened his arms for his classic man hug.

Bob managed another weak smile and stumbled forward.  His lover’s arms folded round him ... and Bob went limp.

“Damn, you are tired,” Randy frowned.  “Never mind, I got ya, buddy.  I won’t let you fall.”

Randy was still wearing his work clothes – muddy jeans and a sweaty tank top, his muscles bulging as he held Bob like a vise.  “Come on, dude, I know what you need.  Let me take you to bed.”

But Bob didn’t react, his eyes firmly shut.  Mark, with his cop’s first-aid training reacted sharply.  Randy, he’s not just tired, he’s unconscious.  He needs to be flat on the floor.  Lower him down gently.  Here, let me give you a hand.”

Randy relented and allowed Mark to work with him to lower Bob gently onto his back on the floor.”

Now Randy was panicked.  He leaned down and gently slapped Bob’s face.  “Come on, dude, it’s me, Randy.   Wake up.”  Randy looked up desperately. “What’s happening, Mark?”

“He’s having some kind of attack, maybe even a heart attack.  Jamie, call 911, get the paramedics ... now.  Felipe, see if you and contact Doc Chad.  You know his private cell number don’t you?”

“Yes, of course, sir.”  He went a few steps away and pulled out his phone, while Mark knelt beside Bob and began CPR.  With a cop’s training he was an expert, placing one hand over the other on his chest and pressing repeatedly.  This he alternated with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, leaning down, clamping his mouth over Bob’s and breathing for him.

Randy stared down stunned, all his muscular strength useless to help.  “What can I do, Mark?”

“Just stand clear, buddy.  Let me work.”

“Sir,” Felipe said, “I got Chad.  He was on his way home from the hospital, passing near here.  He’ll be here in a couple of minutes.”

“And the paramedics are on their way too,” Jamie added.

The desperate scene continued until Chad rushed in and instantly sized up the situation.  He knelt down, pulled Bob’s eyes open in turn and shone a flashlight into them.  Looks like a heart attack.  I think you kept him alive, Mark, good work.  Let me take over.  You called 911?”

“They’re on their way,” Jamie said, just as the siren was heard in the distance.

Everything happened quickly after that.  The two paramedics knew Chad well and he told them to take Bob to the emergency room in the hospital where he was chief. They brought a stretcher and gently lifted Bob on it.  “I’ll come with you,” Chad said.

Randy at last sprang into action.  “Me too.”

“Randy, that might not be the best thing,” Chad said gently.  We want to give these guys room to do their thing.  Otherwise, there’s a chance Bob might leave us.”

“Not if I’m there,” Randy growled.  “If I ‘m there he would never leave me.  It would never happen ... we’re together.”

Chad knew of old there was no point in arguing with Randy, so he relented and they both accompanied the paramedics and the stretcher to the ambulance.  Randy looked down at his inert lover. “Don’t worry. dude, you’re gonna be fine.  I’m here with you all the time.  I won’t leave you, and you’re not gonna leave me.  I forbid it.”

Stunned, Jamie and Felipe watched them head for the gate, then looked desperately at Mark, unsure what came next.

<><>    Life Goes On    <><>

Ever the commanding cop who dealt with crises all the time in his work, Mark took charge.  “OK, boys, what does Bob always say at times like this?  Keep the normal routine running – so that’s what we’ll do. 

“Felipe, go and tell Bob’s boys, the twins, your bosses in the kitchen.  They’ll take care of things in the house.  Jamie, find Eddie.  He’ll be best at spreading the word, but we don’t want any of his drama and exaggerations.  I’ll contact Zack, so he can take over for Randy at the construction site. 

“Then I’ll tell Brandon what’s happened.  He’s a brilliant office manager for Bob so he’ll keep the business side on track. But above all, tell everyone to low-key everything.  The situation is serious enough already, we don’t want rumor and speculation to make it worse.”

As word spread through the tribe, the reaction was predictable – shock and confusion.  Bob was the hugely respected and loved co-leader of the tribe, along with Randy.  They relied on him for everything, loved his gentle manner and leadership.  To be without him was unthinkable ... and yet ...

At Mark’s direction they did their best to carry on as usual, but their thoughts and hopes were firmly on the man they all loved, fighting for his life in Chad’s hospital.

<><>    Touch & Go    <><>

At that moment Bob was in the emergency room, being tended by Chad’s staff, hooked up to the monitors that tracked his progress.  They worked efficiently and the tempo went up and down, all watched grimly by Randy at the emergency room window.

At one point he almost burst into the room as the action intensified and they used defibrillators – electrode paddles on his chest that sent an electric shot to prevent cardiac arrest. When the doctors and nurses relaxed Randy realized the treatment had worked, and Chad came out to confirm it.

“OK, Randy, this is tough, I know, but the immediate crisis stage is over.  Bob has had a serious heart attack and at one point went into cardiac arrest, as you saw.  But we stabilized him and so far things are looking more hopeful.  But I won’t lie to you, man.  I’d put his chances at fifty-fifty.”

“I gotta be with him, doc.  Like I said, if I’m by his side he won’t leave us, I’m sure of that.  We love each other too much.  I know you got your hospital regulations and I don’t wanna get in the way, but you gotta let me be with him, Chad ... please ...”

Randy was never a man to plead and Chad saw how desperate he was.  In any case, Randy was liable to burst into any room and Chad knew that restraining him would be impossible. 

“OK, buddy.  For you I’m gonna break the rules.  I’ll tell my staff that I’m allowing you to be by Bob’s side every stage of the way, even in intensive care.  But I emphasize, you must not get in the way of their work, that would endanger Bob even more.  If you do, I’ll rescind my order and force you to leave.  You hear?”

“Loud and clear, doc.  All I want is to be near him, I know how to stay out of you guys’ way.  Chad, thanks for everything you’re doing.  Bob wouldn’t make it without you, I know that.”

“All part of the job, buddy,” Chad smiled.  “Especially for the guy who built my dream project on the grounds here – the Brian House for pediatric care of juveniles.”

“Least I could do, Chad.  Grady insisted on funding it after the care you gave his boy Brian after his wheelchair fall.”

“Did you know the opening ceremony is tomorrow?”

“I forgot about that, doc.  I have other things on my mind.  So while you all are out there celebrating, I’ll be in here with my man.  When I leave this hospital it’ll be with Bob ... and that’s definite.”

<><>    The Vigil    <><>

And so Randy settled in for the long vigil, an act of love that so impressed Chad’s staff of nurses that they all fell under Randy’s charismatic spell, as so many people had in the past.  They, like others before them, were soon willing to accede to any of his wishes.

Actually his wishes were few.  All he wanted was to be by Bob’s side.  He was convinced that with him close by Bob would survive, would never dare leave him and the world.  And who were mere doctors and nurses to deny that?”

He was especially careful to stay out of their way in the intensive care unit, and was eventually rewarded with the news that Bob was stable enough, to be moved to a private room.  He was now sleeping peacefully, though still unconscious, and still being electrically monitored and checked on at regular intervals.

Staff moved in a cot for Randy, as it was taken for granted he would stay the night. As the nurses left the room they smiled at the sound of Randy’s voice beginning his long monologue to the sleeping man, which Randy privately believed was a dialogue.

“So, dude,” he began, “here we are again.  Remember that time we took the motorbikes out and you were run off the road by a group of thug bikers.  That landed you in the hospital with a deep concussion and me sitting by your bed keeping you company.  They say guys in a concussion can still hear, so I talked your ears off. 

But you didn’t wake for a long time, and you remember how we did that? The docs said it would take an act of major stimulus, so when we were alone I groped under the sheets and stroked your cock.  That never fails.  Pretty soon it stirred and got stiff.  I worked away until you shot your load – and woke up.

“I won’t try that again ‘cos this is more than just a concussion.  I’ll just bore you to desperation with my voice and you’ll wake up just to shut me up.  Talking is all I got this time, dude, cos there’s no human enemy like those biker goons last time. Remember how I took care of them?  Went up there, worked all three of them over good and chained them all together.  They had to hobble back to their town to get released.

“This time I’m just gonna talk and talk, buddy, so get used to it.”

And talk he did ... endlessly.  There was a short respite when they had visitors – Bob’s boys, the twins Kyle and Kevin and their assistant chef the young redhead Will, came in briefly.  Kyle said, “We brought you a change of clothes, Randy.  You can’t sit here in those sweaty work clothes looking like something the cat dragged in.”

Kevin added, “And a packet of your favorite food too, to save you from hospital food.”

“And this,” Will smiled, producing a bottle.  “Your special Blue Label Scotch.”

Randy ruffled his hair, “Red, you talk my language.  I love you guys, and Bob would be proud of you.  As you see, he hasn’t regained consciousness yet but Doc Chad is optimistic.”  The boys gazed at their sleeping man and tears came to their eyes.

“When will you be coming home?” Kevin asked.

“Not until Bob’s well enough to come with me, kiddo.  We’re in this for the long haul – together.  Here, let me stash that Scotch.  The nurses wouldn’t approve of a drunk construction worker in their hospital.”

So regretfully, the three boys left Randy alone to continue his endless monologue.

Late in the evening, the head nurse came in and told Randy, “We’ll be monitoring the equipment from our office and dropping in regularly.  But it’s good you’re here round the clock, Randy, as you’ll alert us at the first sign of any problem.”

After she left, Randy pulled the cot up alongside Bob’s bed, and there he dozed lightly, not talking at last, but still on alert, holding Bob’s hand.  He stirred when a nurse came in to check the monitors and take his vital signs, but mostly he dozed ... silent at last.

<><>    Arrival Of A Movie Star    <><>

It was early next morning that Randy woke fully when a nurse came in pushing a cart.  Still Bob slept as she took his vital signs.  “Hmm ... still good, nice and stable.  You must have a soothing effect on him, Randy.”

“Not all the time,” Randy grinned. “Can be quite the opposite.”

“I’m afraid it’ll get a bit noisy out there today as it’s the inauguration of the new Brian House.  We’re all excited to have a special pediatric wing where we can take care of the kids, and we’re thrilled that Grady himself is coming with Brian.  Not often we have such a big movie star here.  They say he paid for the new building and you built it, Randy.”

“Yeah.  Chad and this hospital took such great care of his boy Brian after he was injured in a fall from his wheelchair, that he endowed the new building and my team was hired to construct it.”

The nurse sighed. “I’ll be intimidated if I actually get to meet Grady.  Do you know him well?”

“Pretty much, but he’s not at all the stuck-up movie star you might expect.  He loves to think of himself as just one of the guys.  You’ll see.”

After she left, Randy looked over at the sleeping Bob and chuckled.  “If she only knew how well we know Grady, eh buddy?  But he’ll have his best professional face on today as the star of the show.  Maybe all the cheering will finally wake you up, kiddo.”

Actually, that’s just what happened.

Later, just before noon, Randy had resumed his monologue when the noise outside began to mount as the expectant crowd gathered in front of the platform that had been erected in front of the new building.

Randy opened the window and said to his still-sleeping lover, “I want you to hear this dude. I aways forget what a huge celebrity Grady is.  I always think of him as a pal ... and a great fuck.  From the cheers, sounds as if he’s getting close.  Well damn me.  I was looking for a stretch limo, but no.  Grady is driving his own truck with young Brian beside him, with a smile so wide it’s almost falling off his face.

“As you can’t get out of bed I’ll describe what’s going on. Security has cleared a space by the stage, and you hear those cheers?  That’s Grady getting out.  Of course, Brian doesn’t want help.  He’s lowering his own wheelchair, unfolding it and lowering himself into it.  He’s wheeling himself up the ramp to the stage and Grady’s right beside him, his hand firmly on his shoulder.

“Damn I have never seen a kid so happy and excited, like he’s gonna burst with pride.  He’s always content to stay anonymous, in the background in the Grady House, but now here he is in the limelight with his famous man.  And what’s more, the new building behind them is named after him.

“He’s such a great kid.”  Those soft, unsteady words came from Bob!

<><>    A Lot To Celebrate    <><>

“Dude, you’re awake.”   Randy whirled round from the window and knelt by Bob’s bed.  “I knew you could do it. You feel OK?  Take it easy buddy – no exertion, no excitement.  You had a heart attack and you’re in Chad’s hospital.”

“I’m fine, Randy.  I’ve been hearing your voice I think.  Have you been here all the time?”

“Of course.  Where else would I be but with my buddy?  You’ve gotta rest, do exactly what I tell you.”

“Don’t I always?”  Bob managed a weak smile, then closed his eyes again.

Randy had pressed the call button and Doc Chad came in with the head nurse, Betty.  “Awake at last, eh?  Let’s take a look here.  Just relax, Bob.”

He eased open Bob’s eye and shone his flashlight in it.  “Yeah, reaction’s good.”  He examined his chest with his stethoscope ... “Surprisingly strong and steady.  I’d say you‘re on the mend, buddy, but we’re not out of the woods by a long shot.  Gotta be careful and take things nice and easy.  Let me check the readings here while Betty here takes your vitals.”  Randy was beaming down at Bob, holding his hand.

“Yeah,” Chad smiled, “numbers are about right.  But don’t think you’re gonna jump out of bed and run a marathon.  Quiet, and tender loving care is what you need.  And by the looks of him, your man Randy is ready to provide them.”

Bob opened his eyes with another weak smile.  “Quiet isn’t so easy Doc with all that noise from outside.”

“Ah, yeah.  The inauguration of the Brian House.  Those cheers are for Grady, of course, and Brian too.  I should really get down there ‘cos I gotta give a speech thanking Grady, Brian and all you guys who worked so hard.  I’ll shut the window.”

“No, please don’t, Chad,” Bob said.  “Seems I’ve just come back to life and life sounds kinda exciting right now.  Go do your thing.  Randy will tell me what’s going on.”

“Well, OK, I guess.  God knows Randy can talk and he’ll make sure you behave.  Come with me, Betty, and I’ll introduce you to Grady.”

The nurse blushed and patted her own chest.  “Oh, be still my heart.”

“Not the best choice of words, darlin’,” Randy laughed.  “What we don’t want around here is any more still hearts.  That’s what we’re all trying to avoid.”

With a few final instructions, Chad and Betty left and Randy bent down and kissed Bob.  “You sure you feel OK, buddy?  Pity you can’t watch the festivities.  The event is right across the garden.  I can see everything and hear every word.”

“So tell me what’s happening, Randy.  Seems you’ve been talking a whole lot to me, so you got a bit more in you, don’t you?”

“I can talk till the cows come home, buddy.”  He went back to the window.

“OK, Chad’s going up to join Grady and Brian on the stage, and the crowd’s going wild.  Chad’s waving for silence ... listen.”

They both heard Grady yell above the noise, “Folks, allow me to introduce you to the man who made all this possible ... a man who needs no introduction...  You know him as Tarzan or Hunter, but his name’s Grady!”

Grady waved, grinned, did a few funny dance steps and exaggerated bows.  Then he grabbed Brian’s wrist and raised his arm high.  “This is the guy who really began all this by falling out of his chair.  Give it up for my best pal Brian.”

The cheers were deafening and Brian treated them to a head-spinning wheelie in his wheelchair.  Grady laughed, “Folks, now you see how he fell out of his chair and started all this.  Cut it out, kiddo, or you’ll fall again and be their first patient.

Upstairs Randy grinned, “The kid’s having the time of his life.”

“Seriously, though, folks,” Grady continued, “my part was easy.  It was no sweat for me to provide the cash, ever since I got lucky as an actor.  The real heavy lifting was done by good friends of mine.  A special guy named Randy was in charge of construction.  Many of you probably saw him working here in recent months.  He’s a hard guy to miss – real big, shaggy black hair.  He brought the project in ahead of schedule and under budget.  His partner Bob brilliantly took care of the money side and managed the endowment.

“Unfortunately, they can’t be down here with us today but we’re fortunate to have Randy’s co-manager on the construction site, Zack.  Welcome Zack.”

More cheers as the impressive black man stepped froward, and Randy said to Bob, “At least the big guy wore a shirt for the occasion.”

Zack raised his muscular arm for silence.  “It was a privilege for me to work on this special project, especially with my good buddy Randy.  I can’t wait for ya’ll to take the tour and check out our work.  Our architect Llyod worked closely with you guys to make sure you got just what you needed.

“There’s something else that Chad was too modest to mention – he and his staff are currently working their medical magic on Bob who fell seriously ill, and Randy’s with him in this very hospital. Chad just gave me the good news that Bob just took his first steps on his road to recovery, though he’s got a ways to go yet.

“I’m sure they can hear all this racket from their room upstairs so why don’t you join me in wishing them both good luck.  Let’s hear it for Bob and Randy.”

The noise was deafening as the assembled crowd – led by Grady, Brian, Chad and Zack – yelled full-throated encouragement to the men upstairs.

Tears came to Bob’s eyes and Randy licked them from his cheeks.  “See how much they love you, kiddo? Now all we gotta do is get your strength back and go home.”

Downstairs Chad was saying.  “OK, folks, now’s the time for you all to take the tour, admire these guys’ work and meet Grady.  And there’s a terrific buffet lunch spread out in the board room before we all go back to work.”

<><>    Back To The Real World    <><>

A few minutes later Chad came into Bob’s room for another check.  “Hi, guys, did you hear all that.  They love you guys and, believe me, those raucous good wishes were heartfelt.  How you feeling, Bob?”

“Better by the minute, thanks, doc.  Those lusty cheers helped a lot, too.”

“Excellent.  Now I gotta go back and join the crowd as they tour the new building.  I think it’s safe to leave you two alone for a while, and there’s still staff on duty to answer any emergency calls you make, Randy.  We’ll be back in a couple of hours to check on you, OK?”

And they were alone again, and it was quiet as the excitement downstairs died down. Randy sat by Bob’s bed and talked, but this time it was a dialogue as Bob joined in.

Bob was no longer slurring his words but, as time went on, Randy became aware of a certain reticence in his lover as he spoke.  It was as if something was missing.  Finally, Randy spoke up.

“You sure you’re OK, buddy?  Seems like you’re holding something back ... not your old self.”

“Not my old self ... yeah that’s just about it, Randy.  Oh, I’m gonna be fine physically.  I’m still weak, of course, but I know I’ll get stronger ... physically.”

“So it’s emotional?”

“I can’t put my finger on it,” Bob frowned.  “It’s like I came back to life ... but not the life ... not the full, rich life I knew before with you. You and me, Randy, we’ve always been opposites but equal, we’ve always been able to give each other what the other wants.  But now I feel there’s something missing in me.  A heart attack is a profound event and I don’t think I have it in me to ever rise to the occasion to give you just what you need from me.”

He paused, then smiled.  “Ah, pay no attention to my blathering, Randy.  It’s all nonsense.”

“I don’t think so, buddy.  You lying there helpless, when you’re usually so strong and sexy ... the part that always turns me on.”

There followed a deep silence during which it seemed that the storm clouds that had gathered gradually parted.  Finally Randy spoke again.  “Dude when you get down in the dumps I can always change you mood and jerk you back to life.”

Bob chuckled.  “Yeah, by giving me a classic Randy fuck.  That’s enough to bring anyone back to life.  But fat chance of that now.  Look at me – limp and listless.  Not exactly the ideal playmate.  That’s what I mean, dude.  It takes a special man to give you what you want, and I ain’t that man – not anymore.

Randy flashed his seductive grin.  “When you say ‘rise to the occasion ‘ and ‘limp and listless’ that tips me off that I might do something about the limp part.  Like I told you earlier, kid, when you were in a coma after that biking accident I brought you out of it by stroking your dick under the sheets until it got hard.  It rose to the occasion then, and you can now.”

Still sporting that wicked gypsy smile Randy stepped back, still facing the bed.  He raised his arms, grabbed the back of his T-shirt behind his neck and pulled it up slowly, revealing first his ripped abs, then the lower curve of his pecs, and the whole solid chest, until the shirt came free and he flung it aside.  Bob watched mesmerized.  He had seen this display many times before and it never failed to rouse him.  And it didn’t fail now.

Randy kicked off his boots and slowly unbuttoned his jeans. As he pushed the jeans and undershorts down, his massive cock sprang out – long, thick and rock hard.  His eyes fixed on the now-naked muscular construction worker, Bob pushed the sheets down and his shorts with them. 

His own cock rose long and hard and Randy grinned arrogantly, “Never fails.  Looks pretty much like the old life to me, the life I always knew and loved with you.”

Bob had earlier changed out of the hospital gown into shorts and t-shirt in bed, and he now pulled off the shirt and lay naked before his lover.

Randy grinned.  “And this is where I would normally shove my pole in you, buddy.  But not this time.”

“Why not?”

“You serious?  Man, you just woke up from a heart attack. I don’t wanna cause another one.  Besides, climbing in bed with you would be against all the rules.”

“Since when did you give a shit about rules?  Randy, I told you I came back to life but I needed to feel really alive, and there’s one man in the world who can always do that.  I’m not talking about the classic Randy attack.  But even you can hold back, can’t you, and if I’m feeling bad I’d tell you to stop right away.  I need it, man.  Please ....”

How could the big gypsy resist?  “OK, dude.  But if it makes your heart race, you say the word ‘stop’ and I will, right away.”

Carefully, Randy climbed onto the bed and knelt between Bob’s spread legs.  “In my backpack,” Bob said softly.  Randy rummaged in the bag by the bedside and pulled out a tube of lube that he spread on his own cock and then, gently, on Bob’s ass.  “You sure about this, dude?” Randy asked. “You really serious?”

“Serious as a heart attack, dude.  Oops, did I just say that?”

That flash of humor convinced Randy that Bob was ready.  He leaned forward and clamped Bob’s wrists to the bed, their faces close, and gazed into his eyes.  He could always see everything, good or bad, in those deep brown eyes.

The bulbous tip of his cock eased slowly between the ass cheeks and pressed gently against the lubed hole.  “Here we go, kid.  Back to life.”  Slowly, tenderly Randy’s cock slid inside – this from a man who normally used his cock as a battering ram.

Bob’s eye closed, then opened and he smiled up at the dark gypsy face he loved so much.  “More,” he whispered.  “All the way ... I’m fine.”

And so the slow gently fuck began.  Randy was hesitant at first but when he could see only joy in Bob’s eyes he became more confident.  And as he gently massaged the warm membrane of his lover’s ass there they were – in their own real world, the world Bob had feared he would never visit again.

Reflected in each other’s eyes they were joined, body and soul, as one man, in their own private world that no one else could ever venture in, or even imagine.  Far from becoming over-excited Bob calmed down and let Randy’s magnetism consume him.

“This is what I meant, Randy.  Thank you for staying with me, buddy, and bringing me back to life.”

“Dude, I knew if I stayed you would never leave – me or the world.  If you did, I’d a’ beat the shit out of you.”  He frowned. “That didn’t come out right.  I gotta work on that.”

Bob smiled – same old Randy.  “I heard your voice all the time, Randy, as if it were calling me back.”

“And here you are, kiddo, and I’m inside you.  Now that’s life, that’s what I call living.

“Oh, fuck me, Randy.  How could I leave a man like you?  How could I ever?”

And so it continued, with Randy’s muscular body rising and falling over his beautiful lover, his craggy features smiling down at him.  Nobody, certainly not the hospital staff, would have understood, least of all condoned, what was happening in this silent room.  But these men knew ... knew that it had to happen for Bob to rejoin the world, their world, their magical world.

Despite the ecstasy Randy was feeling he was still acutely aware of Bob’s reaction, the look in his eye, and when he went in deeper than usual and saw him flinch he knew it was time.  “Dude, I’m gonna cum inside you.  You want me to work on your cock too?”

“No need, buddy, you know me better than that.  Let’s do it together, Randy, as always.”

And so they did.  Randy smiled into the soft brown eyes, eased in a little faster and groaned softly as his cock emptied its load in Bob’s ass, as Bob jerked slightly and semen poured from his cock over his perfect abs.

Randy was extra vigilant at the point of climax, the point where the heart usually raced, but Bob smiled, “I’m OK, Randy.  Heart’s fine.  Lie with me for a while.  Nobody will come in yet.”

They lay in each other’s arms at perfect peace.  “Now I’m back, Randy, really back, thanks to you.  All this happened out of the blue and interrupted the story we were living.  It was a shock, and it’ll take a while to reach full strength.  But I feel I’m already back in the saddle, ready to resume life with you and the guys, sharing our adventures and telling our stories as each chapter unfolds.”

“Just like it always was, eh?”  Randy kissed him.  “Welcome back kiddo.”

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TO BE CONTINUED IN “A Trial Of Strength" – Book 14: Chapter 9