Commander's Call

“Gentlemen, the three of you are invited to my place after tonight’s dining-in for some officer professional development,” Lieutenant Colonel Shawn Braston began in his typical stern voice - his barreled chest puffing out aggressively, “and maybe a few drinks and a steak or two. You don’t need to bring anything,” he finished in a brusque tone. LTC Braston, a career combat arms officer, with multiple tours downrange was used to giving orders and having them obeyed without question. 

“Wouldn’t miss it, Sir!” Captain Tom Hallson responded for the trio – his tall, lumbering frame towering above the commander. The other two captains nodded their heads enthusiastically not wanting to show anything but full compliance with the commander's wishes - being on the receiving side of his aggression was the last place a junior officer wanted to find himself.  

“Have you seen his place, Tom?” Captain Zack Robb whispered excitedly, “It’s palatial!”

“Yeah, man, his place is sick. Can’t wait until I’m pulling in that O5 basic housing allowance so I can get a nice place like that!” Captain Aaron Borg's thick, burly frame opined as it seemingly blocked out the light of the room.

“Oh, your 4 bedroom, 3000 sqft place isn’t doing it for you, eh?” Tom quipped tartly with a smirk. 

“Shut it, Tom. 3,000 sqft doesn’t go as far as you’d think with 3 kids and a wife who could fill the Louvre with all her clothes.” Aaron replied indignantly.

“You two bicker like an old married couple. I’m going to suggest to the chaplain that we send you two to couples counseling.” Zack remarked, his symmetrical attractive face conveying that he was only half-joking.  Both men shot him a dirty look. Tom and Aaron’s endless back and forth could be hilarious but it also spiraled quickly into being counterproductive and annoying.

The MC announced the beginning of the dining-in ceremonies and the three parted to their respective tables.

A few hours later, the three men poured out of the event hall rowdily, a light alcoholic buzz adding to their reverie. None of the commanders drank too much during the event for fear of embarrassing themselves and eroding their command authority amongst their troops. But now that the formal part of the evening was complete, the three could let loose outside the prying eyes of their troops but still under the watchful eye of their commander, LTC Shawn Braston.

“Guys, reel it in. We can’t look like amateurs in front of the commander. Get in my truck. We’ll carpool to the boss’s house.” Zack insisted.

“Ohhhh look at mother hen trying to collect up her baby chickens.” Tom scolded, “You’re such a mom. Relax a little. You good to drive though with the drinks you had? The last thing you need is to lose your command.”

“Well if you two weren’t such children, I wouldn’t be relegated to this shitty role instead of actually enjoying my nights out with you idiots.” Zack snapped back heatedly, “How your wives haven’t house broken you yet baffles me, and yes - I'm fine to drive - truth be told I didn't actually have any drinks tonight.”  

The three piled into Zack’s truck and hit the highway. Twenty minutes later they were pulling into LTC Braston’s driveway.

“Damn, you two weren’t kidding. This place is a palace.” Tom professed. “Hell, I’d guess this was even out of LTC range on the affordability scale.”

“Don’t forget he’s dual military. His wife is an O5 too so they’re raking it in hand over fist.” Aaron replied.

Within a minute, the three were standing quietly on the front porch.

LTC Braston swung the door open forcefully – already in a state of partial undress from his dress blues. 

“I beat you guys here by like five minutes. Come on in and make yourselves at home while I get changed upstairs." LTC Braston conveyed, not even waiting for a response before bounding up the stairs.

The three captains wandered tentatively into the enormous foyer taking in the grandness – beautiful wide slat hardwood floors, a vaulted ceiling leading to an enormous skylight. The men continued into the living room where the open floor plan and enormous high-end kitchen grabbed everyone’s attention.

“I know LTC Braston didn’t decorate this place himself. There’s no way. It’s too nice. It looks like a damn crate and barrel showroom.” CPT Zack Robb remarked.

The other two looked at him mockingly. “And it’s times like this that we remember your gayness.” CPT Hallson teased.

“You don’t have to be gay to appreciate good design, you Neanderthals. Even if I was straight, I’m sure I’d still appreciate this though it’s apparently lost on the two of you.” Zack shot right back.

CPT Robb was out to his peers – CPT Hallson and CPT Borg. They had earned his trust and he knew that despite the ribbing, they had his back entirely. He didn’t make any efforts to conceal it from other people either though he wasn't forthcoming with any details – even bringing a male date to the previous year’s Military Ball. 

There had been other people in the battalion who had made the off-handed remarks – one Major on staff, in particular, had been a real dick but largely, his sexuality wasn’t a big deal. He liked to believe his competence mattered more than who he shared his bed with though he knew realistically that biases would be a part of his military career until the day he retired. 

“What are the three of your conspiring about?” LTC Braston asked as he breezed into the room in a well-fitting button-down and khaki slacks, the v-shape of his short, muscular body clearly on display.

“We were just talking about how nice your place is, Sir, and CPT Robb mentioned how there’s no way you could have put it together yourself.” CPT Hollson explained, a wide grin on his long, handsome face. 

LTC Braston gave the three a terrifying glare – his steely blue eyes locking onto each of them like a heat-seeking missile onto its target. An awkward silence gripped the room when suddenly LTC Braston boomed with laughter.

“Right you are, gentlemen, right you are. Full credit goes to the Mrs. When she found me 20 years ago as a lowly butter bar lieutenant in Fayettnam, I was living in what could be best described as a bastardized combination of a man cave and a dorm room.” He revealed laughingly.

The three captains relaxed. The LTC has a reputation for his short-temper and fiery demeanor - he was a textbook Type-A, man's man. All three captains, as his company commanders, had been on the receiving end of his anger before and were glad they didn't invoke it with the comment. 

“Speaking of the Mrs. where is she tonight, Sir - if you don't mind me asking?” asked CPT Robb carefully.

"She’s TDY for a few weeks though she sends her warmest regards. She’s quite smitten with the three of you. Whatever coordinated charm effort you launched definitely worked. Buttering her up to get to me? Devious and clever.” LTC Braston responded, "but don't think her fondness of you won't stop me from grilling your asses."

The three captains put on their most angelic expressions.

“So, gentlemen, I’m going to throw the steaks on. Grab some beers from the fridge and head out to the hot tub area. We’ll get moving on some professional development while the steaks cook. I invited the other company commanders tonight but they all had other plans. It’ll just be the four of us.” LTC Shawn started, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that you’re all welcome to crash here if you drink too much. I can’t have your promising careers derailed by DUIs. The kids are sleeping over at a friend’s house so you’re welcome to crash in their rooms.” he finished. As much of a tough ass as LTC Braston was, he truly cared about the men and women under his command and the three Captains respected him all the more for it. 

The three commanders grabbed their drinks of choice and settled in at the outdoor bar next to the grill. The incredible smell of steak wafted past them.

The commander launched into discussions on how near-peer enemies like Russia were changing the logistics doctrine for brigade support battalions. LTC Braston was an excellent teacher and fired off questions and scenarios for the three captains keeping them engaged. In what seemed like seconds, the steaks were on the plates in front of the men ready for consumption.  Laughter and camaraderie rang out across the yard, pool, and hot tub as the four officers ate and plowed through beers and the occasional shot – the conversation rotating from work to life and back to work.

“Gentlemen!” LTC Braston started dramatically, “May I suggest that we move these festivities to the hot tub?” Have no fear – I have extra swim trunks for you all.” He finished rhetorically already moving to go grab them. 

Within minutes, the swim trunks were distributed and the men sufficiently stripped shirtless - their athletic bodies on full display.

Water splashed over the thin, light layer of brown fur covering LTC Shawn Braston’s barrel chest and tight abs as he plunged into the hot tub. CPT Tom Hallson’s lumbering, the hairless frame was the next to plop in. CPT Borg’s thick, hairy frame and CPT Robb’s lean, defined body simultaneously dropped into the tub with exaggerated showmanship.

All four men had beers in hand as LTC Shawn Braston yelled, “Brost! Cheers to these quality times together.” The three captains eagerly clinked their beers to the colonel's and thirstily drank.

The conversations and reverie died off for a bit while the men lounged in the hot, relaxing water, bellies full and souls content. CPT Tom Hallson shattered the silence, “Gentlemen, who needs another beer? I’m making a bathroom run and will bring em’ back.” His body erupted through the water to stand.

“Woah there, CPT, is that a phone in your pocket or are you just happy to see us?” LTC Shawn Braston roared. The two CPTs, confused at first, quickly discovered the object of the commander’s joke. The wet swimsuit very clearly outlined CPT Hallson’s hard cock. CPT Hallson’s face turned bright red in embarrassment.

“Jesus, it’s just the beer, guys. I’m so embarrassed.” CPT Hallson yipped.

“No need to be embarrassed, soldier. Who here can say they haven't sported an impromptu boner in their lives?" he stated pointedly, pausing for dramatic effect and daring anyone to contradict him, "Looks like you’re well equipped with your weaponry.” LTC Braston remarked jokingly. 

The other captains groaned at his pun.

“Oh c’mon, guys. Tell me I’m wrong.” LTC Braston continued pointing at CPT Hallson’s hard cock. “Zack, go on give me your opinion since you’re an expert in these things.”

The two other captains froze awkwardly as they waited to see how CPT Robb would react.

“And why do you ask me, Sir?” CPT Robb replied pointedly.

Suddenly sensing the depth of the waters he waded into, LTC Braston stammered,” Well, uhh…..umm – you know. You’ve probably seen more than us,” he finished hesitantly.

“Ah, yes, because I’m gay you assume that I’ve seen a bunch up close, is that it?” He replied gravely, staring at each individual directly, “You probably assume I’m itching to get a crack at all three of your cocks, right?

Tension engulfed the air. Suddenly, CPT Robb cracked an enormous smile and quipped, “Oh c’mon guys I’m just fucking with you. Yeah from my vantage it looks pretty damn big. Kudos to you, Tom. I’m sure the Mrs. is thrilled.”

The four men laughed riotously as Tom still hovered, his hard cock eye level with the other men.

“Oh just whip it out so we all can judge for ourselves!” CPT Borg urged.

“Yeah, Tom, show us the goods!” LTC Shawn Braston encouraged, "most of us are straight anyway!" 

Tom glanced questioningly at Zack as if whatever he did might offend him.

“Oh come off it you prude. I’m not going to ravage you….at least with all these witnesses around. Show us the war hammer.” Zack joked with a wink.

“All right, guys, alright. I can't believe I'm saying this to the three of you but if my cock is in that much demand. I’ll give you paparazzi a glance but only if I get to see yours in return,” Tom retorted challengingly.

The three other men looked at each other sheepishly.

“Well, you pussies?” Tom fired, "all bark, no bite? 

“Fuck it, I’m in but not a damn word of this to anyone, or your OERs are going to be garbage and you can kiss promotion goodbye,” LTC Shawn Braston said with an undercurrent of menace and sincerity.

“I’m all for peer pressure,” Aaron replied good-heartedly.

“Yeah, what harm could it do?” Zack replied to the questioning looks the three men were tossing him. 

“Well, then, we have a unanimous vote. Tom, drop the shorts and we'll do the same - we're all sworn to secrecy. That’s an order to Tom and all of you.” LTC Shawn Braston commanded.

Without another word, Tom pulled down his swim trunks, his hard cock ricocheting back up against his belly before settling.

LTC Braston whistled loudly.

CPT Robb just said, “Wow!”

And CPT Borg’s jaw hung open.

“Alright you fuckers, your turn. I showed ya mine now show me yours…..and they have to be HARD for a fair comparison. I wouldn’t want any of you feeling inferior.” Tom proclaimed boastfully. 

The other three men rose out of the water.

“Hard?” CPT Borg started, “I don’t know if that’s going to be possible in the present company.”

“Yeah, I don’t know how that’s going to happen.” LTC Braston agreed. 

“No worries about me, I’m already there.” CPT Robb chimed in with an enormous smile.

“Well, I presume all of you have jacked off at least once in your lifetime so I can deduce you know how to get yourselves hard. A deal is a deal.” Tom reasoned.

“Right. Right. We did make a deal.” LTC Braston commented looking like he was suddenly regretting this choice. 

“Worst comes to worst, I’m sure someone here can give ya a friendly hand,” Tom insinuated.

The four men paused looking at each other.

“Now that’s highly inappropriate, CPT Hallson.” LTC Braston chided firmly. After a 30-second pause, he too smiled wide and said, “Just messing with you but that is crazy, maybe we should call it a night.”

“I’ll do it!” blurted CPT Borg. “I’ll do it if someone does it for me.”

“Are you serious?” CPT Tom Hallson responded mouth agape.

“This may be the alcohol talking but I’m not going to lie, I’ve always been curious. None of you can look me in the eye – CPT Robb excluded for obvious reasons - and honestly say you’ve haven’t been curious too.” CPT Borg argued.

“Can I tell you guys a secret?” LTC Braston continued, “I’ll deny this if it ever comes up and ruin you in a second, but I used to mess around with my buddies growing up. Circle jerks and shit. Even in college a tug or two wasn’t uncommon amongst other activities. What's that saying - a hole is a hole?”

The three captains looked at him in shock. “Really, sir, you!?” Tom said what everyone was thinking. 

“Why does everyone look so surprised?” Circle jerks and roughhousing are more common than you’d think. Tom, "Mr. I wrestled in high school and college" – you can’t tell me you didn’t see or do anything with your wrestling buddies.”

Tom’s face again turned bright red.

“Exactly. No words needed.” LTC Braston stated as he pointed at Tom’s face. “Alright then, it’s settled. CPT Borg, scoot over here. Let’s do this.”

------- To Be Continued ----