Devil Dawg Donnelly's

The workout that morning at the base gym was more than productive, at least from JD's perspective, not only did he get to spend some quality time getting to know Jason better, but Jason actually taught him a few new workout routines he hadn't done before, ones that were now making muscles slightly ache in places he had never felt before, but that was a good thing as far as he was concerned, it just meant he was working muscles that weren't getting the attention they needed.

Jason was also enjoying having a workout partner that he liked hanging out with; the base gym had a better layout than he had at home or what was available in the school weight room.

But the biggest bonus of all for JD was getting a closer look at Jason's incredible physique, which was nothing short of spectacular, his washboard eight pack ab's, his slab like pectorals, his melon sized delts and the flaring spread of his lats and traps, his legs were phenomenal in size, JD was certain his thighs were bigger around than JD's waist, and his calves were so large they almost rivaled the size of his bulging biceps, and then there was his ass, his tight shorts prevented him from checking them out in detail, but there was absolutely no missing the fact how huge and protruding his glutes were, straining the seams of his thin cotton, tight fitting red gym shorts and of course, not least of JD's visual enjoyments was the huge bulge of his crotch, JD could still remember in detail from just two days ago, seeing that monster cock of his fully erect and plowing into coach Tuck Pullman.

What was even more apparent than the bulge between Jason's legs was the fact he was enjoying showing it and his entire body off to JD, choosing almost from the start to go shirtless, the red shorts and his sneakers being the only thing covering his rippling sweaty lightly hairy body.

There was also the fact, that at every opportunity he could think of, Jason was touching JD; whether it was his hands on his forearm and shoulder, caressingly guiding JD in how to properly supinate in his seated arm curls or the most distracting one of all, dangling his bloated, bulging crotch over his face as he spotted him while he did his bench presses.

All of which continued to surprise JD, who couldn't help but notice the longer they worked out and the sweatier they got, the more he enjoyed and even seemed to crave the attention, especially noting how that desire increased proportionally the closer Jason's proximity and though this seemingly new found interest in the male physique was still somewhat confusing to JD, he was increasingly becoming more and more comfortable with it and as he also notably observed, apparently so was Jason.

That comfortability changed however as they finished up their workout and headed to the locker room to undress and shower; sure they had already seen each other not only naked but aroused as well, but they also weren't in a public setting where other guys were coming and going intermittently.

Instead of hitting the more public showers, JD led Jason to the back section where there were a couple of somewhat private stalls, he was also thankful when Jason took the stall next to his instead of joining him, knowing full well if he had, he wouldn't have been able to conceal his obvious arousal and suspected Jason felt the same.

Despite his increasing physical attraction, JD still wasn't amenable to the idea of just jumping into a fumbling first time sexual encounter where he was certain Jason would be assuming he would take the passive role. JD had never even sucked a cock before, in fact had never even thought about doing so and he definitely had never considered getting fucked by a guy, let alone fucked by someone as endowed as Jason was and then there was the flip side to that, JD loved getting blowjobs, would Jason be okay with doing that, how about fucking, the only thing JD loved doing with Timmy more than getting a blowjob was fucking him; somehow, JD couldn't picture Jason being cool with offering up his own booty for a nice hard pounding.

Clearly, JD thought to himself, there was a lot he and Jason had to discuss before any attempt at intimacy occurred and the way things were progressing, JD felt that maybe that conversation should happen sooner than later.

After a quick shower and gathering their stuff, JD suggested they stop and pick up some lunch on the way back to his; on the way out they ran into Billy and Gavin, who were just getting there for their workout.

Knowing from experience his brothers workout routine usually ran him about two hours, JD thought that would give him more than enough time to have a heart to heart with Jason uninterrupted, also hoping to be there when Carl got home, maybe getting the chance to kill two birds with one stone thinking maybe Carl could shed some light on his fathers peculiar behavior were Jason was concerned, plus he really hoped Carl could help him sort out what it was he was experiencing whenever he's around Jason.

JD wasn't afraid he might be gay, he knew he was attracted to girls, and what he had with Timmy wasn't based on sexual attraction, at the time when that all kicked off, he was in a pretty low place and Timmy made him feel better about himself, the sex was just an unexpected bonus.

No, JD knew that somehow this was different and he also knew, that if anyone could help him sort this out, it would be his Uncle Carl.

They had no sooner gotten into Jason's vehicle and were trying to decide what they wanted to pick up for lunch, when Jason got a text from his Mom.

JD knew something was up when he heard Jason sigh while shaking his head back and forth: "Wuzzup dude?" JD queried, hoping something wasn't going to throw a wrench in his plans to have the discussion he wanted with Jason.

"It's my Mom..." Jason groaned, still staring into the screen of his phone, before cocking his head sideways and hesitantly stated: "She wants to do lunch".

JD just shrugged his shoulders, realizing this could hamper his planned talk with Jason, while simultaneously not wanting to put pressure on Jason to choose between him and his Mom: "No biggie dude, you and I can do lunch anytime..." Before he could finish what he was going to say, Jason cut him off abruptly: "JD she knows I'm with you, this is just her round about way of getting to meet you, but you know what..." Jason smiled devilishly at him before continuing: "One sneaky plan deserves another!"

JD just looked at him quizzically as he rapidly typed his response to his Mom, chuckling to himself as he did so.

"What are you up too?" JD asked, feeling somewhat like a pawn being played in a game he didn't know the rules too.

Jason smiled impishly, started the vehicle and pulled out, musing: "She knows I'm with you, knows I've been spending a lot of time with you and she's curious about you but doesn't want to appear to be, so she pulls this figurin' I'd bring you along."

"I got that part dude.." JD answered, adding: "How is doing what she's planned, beating her at her own game?

Jason just chuckled giving JD the side eye and a knowing wink: "Because I didn't get a chance to talk to her about going to yours this Sunday for dinner, now I can do so with you there making it harder for her to refuse."

JD just shook his head and rolled his eyes: "Do you and your Mom play these kinda games often dude?"

Jason just giggled, responding: "Don't be mad at me, it's just the way our relationship works" He paused for a second adding: "If I had asked her last night she would have just said no, end of discussion, after she meets you and gets to know you a little bit, she might be more open to agreeing to the dinner Sunday." Jason reached over with his right hand and placed it over JD's left and gave it a gentle squeeze: "I really want our families to get along, especially where your Dad's concerned..."He paused again, giving JD a quick and meaningful smile: "If 'n I'mma gonna be courtin' ya Mr. Donnelly, I'mma do muh dangest to stay on your pa's good side."

JD couldn't help but laugh audibly at Jason's terrible attempt at a deep southern accent and more so at the imagery it invoked in his imagination of him showing up to his home one night all dressed up in a suit, hair slicked back, carrying flowers, before whisking JD away to some summer chaperoned cotillion and sipping sweet tea on a veranda in between waltzes.

                                                                           *****

Having just left through the side entrance of the science lab where she had just ran through the latest project results of some of her students, Elizabeth Dunne anxiously awaited for her son Jason to show up for the lunchtime rendezvous she had just arranged with him about 20 minutes prior.

Her anxiety centered around her son's growing interest in a boy from his baseball and football teams, of which, in the last couple of weeks she had heard endlessly about.

It was clear to Elizabeth that her son's recent preoccupation with the boy was far more than he was letting on but still self evident in the glowing way his name often frequented their evening meal conversations.

Up until recently, her biggest fears had been which of the many vacuous girls he had shown a casual interest in, might she come home one evening or afternoon to find hanging all over him and being introduced as his "girlfriend" or worse yet, future mother of her grandchild.

She had done all she could to prepare her son during his early adolescence about the perils of unwanted teen pregnancy, and though she was fairly certain her son wasn't that stupid, she could never quite dispel the insecurities she fostered concerning young male libidos and the hormonal induced stupidity that afflicted most boys his age.

But this was a new wrinkle, one she had learned could be a possibility from her ex, but until now had seen no evidence of, so much so she had passed it off as improbable, maybe her ex had been wrong, maybe Jason was different somehow, that she had changed that potential outcome in some way just by the nature in which he was conceived.

But here it was, as unlikely as it had seemed mere months ago now on it's way in the form of a teenage boy she knew little about; yes she had gleaned certain particulars from her son's often enthusiastic ramblings, but she had to admit to herself, her current anxiety was in part due to a natural curiosity about a boy that could illicit such a keen interest from her son, especially so quickly and to the point of near infatuation.

As she stood there waiting for her son to show up, Elizabeth found herself reflecting upon the past, and as usual, on her son's father.

She still remembered fondly the day they had met, it was at a guest lecture on applied genetics at North Carolina University, the college she was attending while working on her PhD in biology, specializing in genetics, she had been looking forward to the guest lecturers visit and hoping to pick his brain afterward when she accidentally bumped into the most handsome man she thought she had ever seen.

Back then, her entire life had been completely focused on her academic life, she seldom had the occasion to socialize, let alone give thought to dating or romance.

She chuckled to herself, at the comedic spectacle she must have presented, books and papers flying everywhere, scattering all around them on the floor as she scampered about trying to gather it all and hearing the deepest sexiest southern twinged voice of the man she had collided with profusely apologizing repeatedly for not paying enough attention to where he was going, even though Elizabeth was fairly certain it had been her fault; she was running late, as usual, and was dashing toward the lecture hall at a breakneck pace when she collided with him.

It was after those first few awkward moments crawling on the floor retrieving her books and papers, with his assistance, that when she went to stand up he had offered his hand to assist her and their eyes met for the first time.

She couldn't get over how ruggedly handsome he was, his short brown hair , which was mostly concealed by the desert camo cover he wore and the clean shaven face, his squared jawline and button nose and his rather sensuous full lips and of course his piercing blue eyes, eyes that smiled back at her and held an intensity she had seldom seen in others.

He exuded masculinity, but not in the fake bravado she had noted in so many men her age, but in a steady, unspoken confidence and quiet, unassuming austerity. She knew immediately this wasn't a man with a bloviated and over preening sense of self worth and his beautiful blue eyes sparkled with what she was sure would be a keen intellect, tinged with a healthy dose of playful humor, she also couldn't help but admire the physical fitness of the man, whose camo fatigues clung snugly to his massive muscular frame.

Yes, she thought to herself, it had been an awkward start, but one she was thankful for.

It was after that fateful accidental encounter that they connected, made easier while making their apologies to each other that she learned that he was there for the same reason she was, that though not a student at the college he did have an interest in the topic of genetics and since the lecture was open to the public, he had decided to attend.

Elizabeth recalled fondly how afterward they continued to talk for hours at the local coffee shop and how he had insisted on escorting her back to her dorm, where they of course exchanged phone numbers with hopeful assurances made of getting together again to talk further.

She had no idea that that would be the start of a relationship that would last for over two years ending only in his much to early tragic death in Iraq, during a simple routine patrol and a car bomber who not only took out the love of her life, but everyone on his team except for two lone survivors.

She had of course been devastated, they had planned on getting married upon his return from his tour of duty, and out of all that tragedy and sense of loss, she had thrown herself into her work, for over two years afterward she worked toward one goal, securing her future financially and the preservation of the sperm samples she had taken from the discarded condoms during their last night together.

She wasn't a stupid or naive woman, she knew the danger he was going into despite his assurances otherwise, she was also intelligent enough to know not only to hope for the best but prepare for the worse.

Elizabeth knew in her gut she would never find a man like Bannor Griffen again and if indeed the worse did happen, when the time was right she would still be able to have the family both he and her had frequently discussed before he left; she had purposefully kept the donor of her future son a guarded secret, knowing there were those in Bannor's life that would have insisted on having a say in her son's life and upbringing, yes she knew who Bannor was, she knew what it would have meant to them had they known she had preserved his legacy, but she didn't want her son to follow in his fathers footsteps and she knew if she had involved them in any way, they would have filled her sons head with grand notions of duty and honor, regaled him his entire young impressionable life, with heroic tales about his deceased father until he too wanted to follow in his footsteps in some sort of paternal homage.

No, Elizabeth had told her self repeatedly, she wanted a different destiny for her son, she had already sacrificed the hopeful future she had with her beloved, she wasn't going to allow her son to be seduced into pursuing the same course his father had been sent on by his father, and his father before him, going back generation after generation for further than she cared even to think of.

Jason was her son and she wanted him in her world, not his father's, she knew full well she would be breaking the link in a chain of succession going back centuries, but from her perspective, all that mattered now was her son, not the patriarchal monolith her former lover had served and ultimately given his life for.

She took solace in the fact that at least she was preserving his lineage if not his Heritage, a Heritage she was determined their son would never know of.

                                                                          *****

Having just moments ago been given leave by Sgt. Carl McGregor to sequester his newest team member in the private cabin here at the Devil Dawg Compound, Cpl. Atticus Walker now stood next to the table in the cabin, upon which he had just sat the oblong box given to him with instructions not to open until he read the letter presented to him, in the presence of his newest team mate.

GySgt. Brock Gryzinski now stood a few feet away from him, apparently just as anxious and apprehensive as he was to know the content of said letter.

Atticus poised himself as he fumbled with the sealed envelope, facing Brock, but not looking at him as he removed the one page note and unfolded it carefully.

The burly young Corporal hazarded a glance at Brock, noting his informal parade stance, and sensing the trepidation that emanated from him as Atticus lowered his eyes to survey the contents of the letter from Max Donnelly.

"Atticus," it began informally: "Standing before you is Brock Gryzinski, for the last two years I have taken it upon myself to work with and train this young Marine in the hopes of freeing him from a life of fear and self loathing."

"Much like yourself and the rest of your team, he has been without focus, without a true sense of belonging and purpose and like you, much of the damage done to him was inflicted upon him by his upbringing, by those charged to guide him and give him the tools he needed to have a full, rich rewarding life, failed and marginalized by the dereliction of those responsible for his existence.

"Unlike you and the others, he had no sense of Heritage to call upon to help him weather the looming solitude, instead he did what so many others of his kind have done, he internalized it and allowed it to metastasize until it had threatened to consume him."

"You and I have discussed both mine and Danal's belief that the fate of both our peoples are inexorably linked and until that is rectified, neither they or us will ever truly find peace, a peace and purpose that can only come from our reunification, it was with that thought in mind that I have designated Brock as your newest team member and rest assured, Brock won't be the last of his kind, there is one other I think will make an admirable addition to your team."

"As for yourself, I have roughly spent the same amount of time working with you, offering you the same guidance and hopefully have instilled in you a renewed sense of purpose, you know it is my deepest desire and belief that you and the others will soon have your path forward within the Heritage, but it is also my intent to include men like Brock, who in part share a lineage with us predating the Heritage."

"I can't begin to tell you in mere words how proud I am of what you and the others have accomplished so far, in truth Atticus, you have become like a son to me and it is with that thought in mind and after recent revelations in my own life, I have come to understand that the path forward doesn't need to be a lonely one."

"You are twenty one now Atticus, you have fought long and hard to get where you are now, consider how much more you can and will achieve with someone by your side, someone who shares your goals and has a stake in the outcome, one who can help shoulder the burdens that life throws at you; you are also a leader, perhaps it's time for you to lead by example.

"I will not order you to do this, but I can present you with a choice, one that I consider to be mutually beneficial, the decision is yours to make."

"Within the box presented to you, you will recognize a once time honored tradition between men such as ourselves and those like Brock, all I ask is you consider it, I am certain you will make the right choice, son."

Atticus noted it was just simply signed "Max."

To say that Atticus had a surging sense of pride reading Max's words, would be an understatement, but nothing touched or moved him more than the last word in Max's letter, tears were not in the lexicon of displayable emotions for a man like Atticus, years of training and self control, even the harshness of his life thus far, had bereft him of such self indulgent demonstrations.

But Max's words and intent did move him and if he had learned anything while under his tutelage it was how insightful Max Donnelly could be, but as he stood there staring blankly at the letter deep in his own thoughts and reflections, he came to a realization; if he went down the path suggested by Max, he would not be doing so alone.

Atticus looked up at Brock, who was still standing there in a full parade rest stance, staring quizzically at Atticus, patiently awaiting his next move.

Atticus walked over to Brock and handed him the letter: "If we do what Max suggest in this letter, then you have as much right to read this as I do." Atticus paused for a second as Brock began scanning it: "Never let it be said I kept secrets from you."

His words held little meaning to Brock, that is until he finished reading it.

Brock looked up at Atticus, still a bit dubious as to the meaning of Max's words: "Is he suggesting what I think he's suggesting?" Brock asked timidly, not sure exactly how he would feel about either a yes or no answer, instead just differing to Atticus's response and hopeful he could bring a clarity Brock himself had yet to discern.

Atticus just cocked his head sideways and gave Brock a rather disarming half grin: "I can't remember the name it was called by, but it predates the Codex and was practiced before the split between our people."

Brock handed the letter back to Atticus: "Though I know about the Codex, I've never read it, so I'll just have to take your word for it team leader."

Atticus was sure he detected a hint of a sardonic scowl come across the handsome face of the Gunny, but also realizing it's source; of course he had never read the Codex, only those of the Heritage were privy to it's contents, but something else occurred to Atticus at that moment, the fact that Brock even knew of the Codex, combined with his knowledge of the Heritage and the contents of Max's letter all suggested one thing to him: "Come with me Gunny." he said with sudden enthusiasm, snatching up the box from the table and giving Brock a gentle nudge in the direction of the cabin door: "We need to see a man about a book!"

                                                                            *****

Lunch had gone pretty much how Jason Dunne had expected it to go, most notably his Mom donning her clinically detached analytical persona instead of just relaxing and trying to enjoy having lunch with her son and his guest.

He knew she would grill JD about himself, wanting to know the usual things that most sixteen year olds seldom gave thought too, but JD comported himself admirably, trying his best to remain jovial throughout, answering her queries lightheartedly but succinctly enough as not to appear to be flippant.

Jason couldn't help but think of it as a little payback for the grilling he had gotten from JD's Dad, but comfortable enough to know he could handle himself and wouldn't take exception to the more personal questions, and though his Mom's and JD's Dad's interrogations were similar on face value, it was the intent behind it that differed, where as Max Donnelly's questions were geared toward learning more about him and his families history, his Mom's seemed more like a fact finding expedition; he got the distinct impression she was looking for chinks in JD's armor whereas Max's had felt more like a keen interest in getting to know the type of guy who was showing interest in his son.

It was with that distinction in mind that Jason took it upon himself, after his Mom had exhaustively covered the gambit of JD's academic interest and had turned her spotlight on his social/sexual relations, that he made the conscious choice to throw his Mom a proverbial curve ball, one he hoped would distract her from her pursuit, knowing that JD would be completely transparent if the topic of girls came up and possibly divulge his approaching paternity; without a moments hesitancy, Jason reached his left hand over beside him and clasped JD's right hand in his, knowing full well the impact and statement the simple gesture would make, especially in light of her current queries.

The result of which was immediate; at the initial touch of his hand to JD's he felt a slight tugging twinge and Jason feared JD would jerk his hand away, but Jason just gave his hand a firm squeeze indicating he was fully cognoscente of his actions, he was truly relieved when JD just relaxed and acquiesced to the sudden public display of affection.

It was at that moment that Jason chose to spring his little trap: "Yesterday, while I was having dinner over at JD's house, Mr. Donnelly invited you and I over for dinner this Sunday." Jason let that sink in for the moment, knowing his Mom was still a bit discombobulated over the sight of her son now holding the hand of another boy right in front of her, but before she had time to formulate a plausible excuse as to why she couldn't attend, Jason quickly interjected: "I told him that shouldn't be a problem since you would probably be just as interested in meeting the family of the boy I'm dating."

The look on her face was priceless, one of those moments Jason would recall for years to come.

For far to long his mother had controlled or at least attempted to control the people Jason befriended, never wanting Jason to form to close of ties to anyone she hadn't fully approved of or vetted, usually finding fault with each in their turn, but in this instance Jason was resolute; he wanted her to understand that this time, things were different, this was his coming of age, his independence day.

He wanted her to fully comprehend that he would no longer allow her to dictate who his friends were, but most of all that she would have no say in who he was romantically attached to or interested in.

Jason also knew that for the first time he now had her cornered, he knew she wouldn't want to come across as somehow disapproving of her son dating another boy, that would be unthinkable in the world of liberal academia.

No, she would wait until later, when they were home alone to make up some cack-handed excuse and try to weasel her way out of it, but Jason decided that he would cross that bridge when he got there, that if it was a fight she wanted, then she would get more than she bargained for; he was almost eighteen now and he was no longer going to tolerate her dismissive attitude toward the things that mattered to him, he loved his Mom, but she needed to know that the umbilical cord had been severed long ago and he was his own man now, not some little boy dependent upon her for everything, and it was for that reason he was now rather enjoying the somewhat visible discomfort she displayed knowing she had been out maneuvered by her only son and that that was the reason she now tried to appear calm, composed and collected, even trying to feign a genuine smile for his and JD's sake a smile as fake as her tacit support of dining with Donnelly's on Sunday and it came as no surprise that she now chose this moment to end their lunch time rendezvous, standing and offering her hand to JD to shake, before leaning over and kissing him on his forehead, bidding them good afternoon and letting Jason know, she would call him later to let him know what time to pick her up.

JD and Jason sat there in silence as they watched her cross the small distance from the commons to the side door she used to reenter her lab.

JD turned to Jason, a big goofy grin on his face: "Well golly gee wiz, I think your Mom and I have forged quite the bond there don't you?"

"Absolutely!" Jason chuckled: "Without a doubt, meeting you today will go down in history as one of the greatest moments of her life!"

                                                                               *****

"You do realize my boy, we are in uncharted territory right now don't you?" Danal Cornelius murmured to an obviously excited and hopeful Cpl. Atticus Walker.

"What I understand sir..." Atticus began, standing tall, chest out, arms behind his back, head held high: "Is that both you and Max tell me that reunification of our two peoples is the ultimate goal, that and those displaced like my men and myself by those abusing the Codex, be brought back into the fold."

Danal eyed the young Corporal, knowing that what he was stating was an over simplification, but at its core was the truth behind their beliefs: "While that is true, you know that the Codex was first written by the progenitor of our people not his." Danal nodded his head toward Brock, who the whole while stood back, as more of an observer than a participant in his and Atticus's discussion, still unsure where Atticus was going with all this and what it had to do with Max's letter and him specifically.

Atticus stood his ground, and spoke with an air of certainty; he had never approached the issues he had with those he felt misrepresented the true spirit of the Codex; never thought that it somehow made him a victim, instead he wanted what he had always wanted for both himself and those men like him, such as his team mates: "Green father I offer as proof of Gryzinski's right to view the Codex and be subject to it's traditions, this letter written by Max Donnelly himself ."

Atticus handed Danal Max's letter and as Danal scanned and contemplated the document, Atticus plead his case: "In the content of this letter, Max states his desire for reunification and then proceeds to add GySgt. Gryzinski to my team and states he has another candidate like him that he also considers a viable selection for my team as well..." Danal returned his focus to Atticus, his own thoughts still fresh with his recent illuminating discussion with Carl about change and it being a two way street which gave him pause to interject what he now considered to be the core of Atticus's supposition: "Is it your contention, that the fact Max has assigned one such as Brock to your team and speaks of another like him doing so as well, as proof that Brock is now also subject to the rules of the Codex therefore entitled to access and to study it like the rest of you?"

Atticus smiled and gave Danal a wink: "That and the fact that Max suggests in the letter I undertake one of the more obscure rituals of the Codex with Gryzinski..." Atticus paused briefly adding hesitantly: "I can't remember the exact name of the ritual but it had to do with binding two of the Heritage together."

Having said that, Atticus handed the oblong box to Danal: "If what I recall is true.." Atticus stated, his head turning momentarily to Brock then cautiously back to Danal: "Then I'm pretty sure that what's in that box is part of that ritual and requires your services as a Green Father to move forward."

Danal flipped the lid of the box, a smile slowly creeping across his face as recognition of its contents became clear.

He knew Max could be crafty but this bordered on genius, if he did this, it could potentially send ripples throughout the Heritage and best of all, it was rooted in their earliest practices, even predating what they now knew as the Codex, a carry over from the time before the Heritage even, though practiced for many years after that eventful moment.

Closing the lid of the box Danal looked first to Brock and then meeting Atticus eye to eye, a look of consternation painted stoically across his countenance: "As a member of the Council of Greges and Green Father to the Southern Devil Dawg region I can not honor your request at this time."

The confident, hopeful look that had been on Atticus's face faded and as his head began to bow in silent dejection, Danal added, his voice full of officiant pageantry and solemnity: "I cannot honor your request until you perform and complete the prerequisite rituals!"

Atticus's eyes shot up to meet the mischievous twinkle in Danal's. he didn't know whether to hug him or scold him, while a completely confused Brock Gryzinski looked on, clueless to the meaning of any of this and deciding that if this was about him too, then he at least deserved an explanation of some kind: "Pardon me..." Brock interjected: "meaning no disrespect, but what the hell are you guys talkin' about exactly?"

Danal stifled a giggle returning his attention to Atticus: "Perhaps before we proceed my boy, you should have a little heart to heart with your intended." Danal put his hand on Atticus's shoulder and pivoted him toward Brock, nudging him forward, toward a still confused Brock, adding: "The first requirement of the ritual is that both parties concerned request it."

Atticus looked back over his shoulder at Danal and watched as he just flipped both his hands toward him in a shooing motion, then pointing suggestively toward the Lodge door, the gesture suggesting that perhaps their conversation was best held more privately outdoors.

Giving Brock a furtive glance before latching his large meaty hand on the Gunny's left bicep, Atticus escorted him outside and guided him toward the banks of the lake.

As they stood there silently for a moment, looking out over the water, Brock mentally ran through the contents of the letter Max had sent the large, muscular man next to him.

Brock had always been attracted to men like Max and sensed that Atticus was cut from the same cloth as him; everything about Atticus appealed to him, in fact, the hairy muscular brute standing next to him silently contemplating the crystal clear reflective waters of the lake, clicked every one of his physical attractions and in the short time he's had to actually speak with him, he suspected he'd fair comparably with ever one of his mental attractions as well.

What was confusing him now however, was the context of Max's letter to Atticus, Brock had long ago been told about the Heritage, Max and Carl had both talked about the Codex, though never going into great detail about it's contents, just the deleterious effects it had for some, causing certain individuals within the Heritage, men like the one standing next to him, to be marginalized and "otherized" which was something Brock as a homosexual man, could relate too.

He also knew that Max had inferred on more than one occasion, that people like himself and those within the Heritage once had a strong connection, Carl had even elaborated once that they had a shared history, even a shared lineage, but to what extent neither Max or Carl ever addressed fully and Brock had never felt compelled to push them further on the subject, thinking they told him what they thought he should know or needed to know and would explain further if the need or time warranted it.

Though all that in of itself was still pretty much a mystery to Brock, it wasn't what confused him now, from his point of view, Max's letter read very much like he was presenting him as some sort of "gift" to Atticus and while he wasn't opposed to the idea of getting down and dirty with this near perfect specimen of masculinity, he wasn't sure he liked the idea of being passed around and discarded at leisure, like some sort of old hand me down; he may not of had much respect for himself in the past, but after the recent events of the past few days, he had been learning a lot about himself or more precisely accepting about himself that had began a chain reaction of change in his perception about his own self worth; sexually he knew he liked aggressive men, but there were times he liked being aggressive too, but in a totally separate way, Max had, on more than one occasion, called him a bossy bottom and thinking about it now, he kind of guessed that was true, he liked what he liked, but what was different, and had been changing for awhile through Max's influence, is that he now felt expressing those needs coming more and more to the forefront.

"Listen Brock" Atticus began, drawing his attention back from his self examination, and turning to face him.

"I'm a simple Kentucky boy, more apt to kid and joke around most of the time" His eye's drew Brock in as they narrowed and his heavy brow furrowed in concentration: "I'm a by the book, get the job done kinda guy when it comes to work and I can be a real ball buster in the process." Brock had already accessed as much about the latter but was very interested in seeing if the first part held true or not.

"I know..." He continued slowly, trying to pick his way through his own thoughts and present them in a way he felt Brock might better understand: "I know we just met and I can't speak for you..."He went on, his right hand swooping upward to brush through the short coarse hair on the top of his head: "But I suspect you know Max about as well as I do."

Brock looked up at the six foot four bulging giant before him and laughed: "I somehow doubt we know him in the exact same way, but I get your drift... we trust him!"

Atticus smiled back at him and winked: "Yeah on both counts I suspect." they both chuckled a little bit, whether to relieve the awkwardness of the situation or just out of the sheer ironic truth of his conclusion, both concluded simultaneously that it didn't really matter.

"You read what I read and I think we both know what Max's intention is here, right?" Atticus looked down at Brock, his face fully reflective of the pensiveness of his query waiting for Brock's response.

"I get that he expects us to get together in the Biblical sense and bump uglies and though I'm not opposed to that..." Brock said half jokingly pausing before he continued: "But I fail to see what that accomplishes other than temporarily putting a big ol smile on both our faces."

Atticus smiled back, but shook his head, explaining: "It's a lot more than that, what Max is suggesting is that we form a bond that ties the two of us together and the only way I know of doing that between our two peoples that will accomplish what Max is suggesting..." Brock interrupted him with a question written all over his face: "You mean like getting married, because I can't do that, I'm still legally married right now, that is until my divorce goes through."

Atticus frowned, scratching his head, trying to find the right words: "It's kinda like marriage but it's not legally binding at least not in the real world, it's more of a commitment, a statement of intent..." He thought for a second, remembering how the ancient text described it: "In the old days it referred to a joining, a coming together of two people... " Atticus searched his memories of the text and used the only analogies he could recall: "in those days, there were times that two warriors would form a bond that went beyond friendship and there were times when it was used to join two houses together when no daughters were available for marrying."

Atticus paused when Brock held his hand up haltingly: "If it's not legally binding in the real world what's the catch and how does it change anything?"

Atticus smiled, inadvertently or not, Brock had cut to the crux of the matter and he responded likewise: "Because the ritual binds two people together, meaning I become part of you and you become part of me and that part of me in you also confers my Heritage upon you, affording you the same treatment as me.." Brock's eyes lit up in recognition, interjecting quickly: "It would open the door to me having access to the Codex and partaking in Heritage ceremonies?"

Atticus chuckled: "Yeah, but it also means you'll have to train like one of us, and be ranked within the Heritage like one of us as well and one other thing you should know..."He hesitated telling Brock this, but if he were to agree to this he wanted to be fully transparent about everything: "This differs from what most consider marriage in several ways, but the one that maybe is the most important for you to know..."Atticus took Brock by the shoulders, locking eyes with him: "Once done, it can not be undone, the bonding is for life and...."Atticus couldn't help but hesitate with the next part, for most, this was the deal breaker and why so few took this path in those early days and one of the chief reasons it dropped away in general practice later.

Atticus steeled himself, hoping for the best but preparing himself for the rejection: "Only the more dominant one between us is allowed to speak for both publicly."

Atticus was surprised when Brock started laughing: "So in that aspect it's exactly like marriage."

Brock couldn't help but notice the somber look on Atticus's face and the stern look he now gave him: "This is not a joke Gryzinski, I assure you, there will be those within the Heritage who might put the bond to the test."

Brock knew by the serious tone of Atticus's voice, there was more to it than he had disclosed so far: "I certainly hope you're going to clarify that little tidbit" Brock queried, eyeing Atticus dubiously.

Atticus took a step forward placing a hand on Brock's shoulder: "As an example, if it is determined that I am the dominate between the two of us and Max was asking me a question and you answered instead, he would have every right to demand that you be punished for being insolent and who do you think would have to be the one to punish you?"

Brock looked at him with the same expression one might expect to see if he had just seen a unicorn just cross his path: "That's archaic, like Biblical patriarchal shit bad."

It was Atticus's turn to smile and chuckle: "Now you know why few entered into such a bond." Atticus could see his attempt at humor did little to assuage his concerns: "If it helps, the other partner gains certain rights that the dominant partner must obey as well."

Brock just huffed skeptically: "Such as?"

Atticus smiled sheepishly: "Remember that old adage "A man's home is his castle", well under the rules of the bond, the submissive partner rules within the home."

Brock smiled at the thought of that, imagining Atticus on his knees massaging his feet and feeding him grapes: "Yeah, that could have it's advantages, just one thing though..."

The grin faded from Brock's face before asking cryptically: "How is it determined who the dominant partner is or will be?"

Atticus smiled again, a big toothy grin: "By a contest of course, one that doesn't rely so much on strength but skill and cunning, you might be surprised to learn that a form of it today is considered a child's game."

"Brock groaned and shook his head: "If you say patty cake patty cake" I'm gonna kick you in the balls"

"That's a good one" Atticus quipped: "Have you ever heard of hide and seek?"

Brock chortled then sneered at Atticus: "I'm betting it's a little more involved than that"

Atticus slapped him on the back and headed back toward the Lodge muttering over his shoulder sardonically: "There's only one way to find out and that's to agree to the bonding, that is unless you're some kinda whimpy pansy ass pussy!"

Brock double-timed to catch up to the lumbering hulk: "If you're prepared to lose then how can I say no."

                                                                                *****

Less than half an hour after their very entertaining lunch with Jason's Mom, JD found himself sitting on the couch in his home with Jason, they'd turned the TV on for a while, but quickly realized that there was nothing on that could sustain their interest for more than a few minutes.

Truth was, JD was still very much itching to have the "sex" talk with Jason but struggled with how to approach the topic with him and the TV had become JD's way of stalling, putting off what he knew needed discussion.

JD was still deliberating about how best to proceed, knowing time was not on his side; at best he had maybe another hour before his brother could be done at the gym and show up or Carl could be back at any moment and though he was very much looking forward to speaking with him about his newly discovered feelings for Jason, he was still very keen on clearing the air about the looming potentiality of sex and what that meant to each of them.

"A penny for them,"Jason murmured whimsically seated beside him, his arms stretched out on the back of the couch, the index finger of his left hand casually caressing the back of his neck.

"A penny for what dude?" JD responded, still very much distracted by his thoughts and that stroking digit on nape of his neck.

Jason chuckled softly: "A penny for your thoughts JD." Jason sat forward, his hand pulling away from JD's neck and moving forward to come to a rest on top of JD's thigh, right above his knee as he furtively attempted to lock eyes with him.

JD could feel his heart start to palpitate and his temperature rise with the pounding of his pulse.

It was now or never, expediency necessitated it.

"We need to talk about sex" JD finally blurted out, maybe a little to forcibly but nonetheless true.

"Well..."Jason started, the grin on his face mischievous, his deep voice alarmingly seductive: "As a general rule, I'm all for it."

Clearly, JD realized Jason and he were on the same page but not the same paragraph noting how Jason slowly drew nearer, clearly intending to plant a kiss on JD's lips.

Bringing his hand up and placing it against Jason's chest in a halting gesture JD retorted: "I said talk, not have!"

At his mild rebuke, Jason pulled away and leaned back in a somewhat prone position against the back of the couch, an expression of consternation and frustration creeping across his visage: "I'm sorry, I'm really not trying to rush you JD" his sigh said it all, JD could feel the confusion emanating from him, it was clear he didn't understand the reason for JD's reticence.

"I get it." JD murmured gently, leaning back with him, putting his left hand on his chest: "I feel it and want it as much as you do and that's the problem..."

Jason turned his head to make eye contact, a look of confusion sweeping his expressions.

JD knew he didn't understand the dilemma that spurred JD's reluctant behavior, he knew he must feel it was him being recalcitrant maybe even a little misleading.

:"Jason, the problem isn't whether or not I want to have sex with you, it's how we have sex."

JD maintained eye contact with him and watched as Jason mulled over his words, it was almost as if he could see the various thought processes traverse the pathways of his brain until they settled, through reasoned deduction, on the gist of their joint quandary.

"I guess the old saying about assuming something is true after all" Jason's tone softened as he leaned closer to JD, his hand coming up to clasp JD's gently on his chest.

Cocking his head slightly, JD smiled tenderly, staring deeply into Jason's bright blue eyes: "I guess being up front with what I haven't done with a guy would be a good place to start?" JD posited quizzically.

Jason smiled back at him: "You've seen everything I've done so far, but just so you know..." Jason paused, releasing JD's hand and placing it back on his thigh and giving it a gentle squeeze: "I'm willing to learn if you are?" Jason speculated, hoping JD felt the same.

JD leaned forward, maneuvering his torso until his face was directly in front of Jason's and until their lips were mere inches away from each other and the warmth of their breath brushed against the flesh of each others faces: "Maybe we should just agree to try everything and see what works best for both of us, how's that sound?

Jason smiled in response as he ran his hand up JDs thigh to cup the fullness of JD's sweat pants covered crotch in the palm of his hand and began kneading his balls: "Like I said last night, I can work with that."

Jason's lips crashed against JD's, their mouths fighting for dominance with each other, their tongues swirled wetly and tangled in an osculating duel, each trying to suck the breath from the others lungs; Jason's fingers wrapped around the cloth covered phallus trapped within JD's pants and firmly stroked it, his other armed embraced his neck and pulled him down on top of him.

JD's hands probed Jason's firm muscular body as he ground his hips against his.

Jason released JD's palpitating cock, and reached around him, clutching his firm buttocks with both hands and kneaded them like baker's dough, pulling him tighter while grinding their bulging crotches together.

JD eased Jason backward until he was prone, lengthwise across the couch , pushing his legs apart with his knees until he was firmly planted between them, their hard cocks grating against the others as he pulled back to stare lustfully into Jason's smoldering blue eyes.

Without a word exchanged between them, JD slid his fingertips underneath Jason's T-shirt and began stroking their way up his rigid abs, bunching the T-shirt upward, revealing the hardened flesh beneath.

Diving downward, JD kissed his navel, slowly extending his tongue to swirl around it, before pushing upward, over the deep ridge of his linea alba, the trench between his abs halting only momentarily at his sternum, to yank at the cloth of his T-shirt, pulling it over his pecs and up over his head, until finally tossing it unceremoniously onto the floor.

Jason took the opportunity to return the favor, pulling at JD's gray sweatshirt, pawing at it until it wrenched free of his body and tossed it across the room.

Now both free of their shirts, Jason reached up and clasped JD behind the neck and pulled him down to him, once again to lock lips. smothering him with his thick sucking lips and probing tongue, his arms embracing him, his hands caressing up and down his back and spine until settling at the hem of his sweatpants waistline and scooping underneath until he fully clasp his bare buttocks, and as JD moaned into his mouth wantonly, his own fingertips searched for Jason's nipples and tweaked them between his index fingers and thumbs.

"If we keep this up I'm gonna cum in my pants" Jason groaned as JD slipped down and twirled the tip of his tongue over Jason's right nipple, nibbling at the eraser sized nub gently with his teeth.

"Well..." JD smirked, with a mischievous, lopsided Cheshire grin mockingly painted across his visage as he began to kiss and lick his way down Jason's torso until coming to rest at the belt buckle securing his stone washed denim jeans: "We can't have you making a big ol mess now can we?"

Jason watched intently as JD unfastened his belt and threaded the top button of his jeans and slowly began unzipping his fly, his left hand halting as it came into contact with the protruding enormous bulge, tenting and veering left.

JD marveled at the intense heat radiating from his groin and slowly began to trace the outline of his member with his fingers, squeezing and teasing at it across its prodigious length and girth.

Staring up into Jason's glazed over eyes and tilting his head slightly, JD's wet tongue extended passed his lips before he ran it over the full length of Jason's bulging denim constrained dong, stopping at the flaring outline of his swollen glans and chewing at it with his front teeth.

Jason's now thick raspy, lust filled voice groaned: "That ain't helpin' dude, seriously.." He cautioned, barely able to stop himself from squirming away from JD's oral manipulations.

Chuckling wickedly, JD veered back toward Jason's fly and clasped the tongue of Jason's zipper between his teeth and resumed unzipping his fly deliberately and as slowly as he possible could all the while knowing the effect it was having on him.

Jason sighed deeply as JD looked up at hm, his bright greenish blue eyes staring longingly at him as he nuzzled his crotch playfully: "Maybe we should take this to your bedroom?" he posited, raising up into a seated position clasping JD's face between his rough calloused hands and kissing him passionately.

JD rose up, dragging Jason by the hand, guiding him toward the privacy of his bedroom.

After closing and locking the door, JD crossed over to Jason, who now stood beside his bed, intently watching every movement he made: "I think you should lose these." He stammered, kneeling in front of Jason, gripping the sides of his bluejeans and languidly lowering them to the floor and lifting Jason's legs to remove them completely.

Jason stood there, glaring down into JD's eyes watching as if in slow motion as his hand reached up to grip his throbbing eleven inch schlong at the base, his fingers pulling the folds of his thick foreskin back over the pulsating head while simultaneously cupping his large egg sized balls in his other hand and began gently tugging them downward in his enclosed fist before swabbing them with his wet tongue.

Grunting his approval, Jason reached down and stroked the back of JD's head encouraging him as his tongue swept upward to the base of his thick shaft and followed the tube of his urethra with the tip of his tongue right up to the frenulum, teasing the nerve cluster there right between the flanging head of his throbbing, pre-cum oozing glans.

JD may have never sucked a cock before, but here sure knew what felt good on his and he transferred that personal knowledge into action on Jason's enormous member, knowing he was being successful when Jason stated moaning louder and clutching the back of his skull tighter, trying to maximize the contact between JD's probing, flicking tongue on his sensitive glans, JD could also tell, by the voluminous flow of Jason's drooling dick, that he had to be close to an orgasm, something JD had no intention of allowing so quickly.

Kissing the tip of Jason's oozing cock, JD pulled away and stood up, his right hand gripping the back of his neck and pulling him down to taste his own pre-cum on his lips and tongue: "Like the taste of your own cock dude?" JD cooed lustfully, his tongue swiping at Jason's thick lips, before nibbling on the bottom one.

Jason's only response was a guttural grunt, that came from deep within his chest as his arms encircled JD, his hands clawing at the fleshy mounds of his ass, the middle finger of his left hand slipping slowly between them until the tip of his finger found JD's moist pucker and began a gentle circular motion, meant to stimulate but not penetrate, at least not yet.

Lowering himself to the edge of JD's bed, Jason's hands slipped JD's sweat pants down along with the worn jock that confined his own throbbing seven inch erection.

As Jason worked to get his sweat pants off, JD reached down and grabbed his boner and began caressing the side of Jason's face with it, smearing the copious amounts of his own pre-cum across his cheeks and chin.

As JD continued to stroke his face with his dick, Jason swooped underneath and licked at his balls, surprising him when he suddenly sucked them both into his mouth and began swirling his tongue all around them.

JD ground his groin against Jason's mouth and chin, pushing his hips forward forcing Jason to recline backwards onto the bed, JD climbed on with him, maintaining the oral contact with his testicles until he was fully squatting over Jason's now prone body, his knees jammed on other side of Jason's torso up to the armpits.

A few moments passed as JD enjoyed the gentle suctioning of his balls, before he withdrew them from Jason's mouth and pivoted, moving into a sixty nine position, his knees now on either side of Jason's head.

Resting his elbows on Jason's muscular tree trunk sized thighs, JD lowered his head to lick at the thick, massive dong splayed across his belly, going from the tip to the base of his balls repeatedly causing Jason to moan as he began to return the favor, eliciting the same response from JD.

At one point, JD looked upward between their body's, noting how Jason's tongue and mouth had pinned JD's dong against his abdomen and JD now tightly rode the smooth, wet oral appendage, grinding his now hypersensitive glans against it, his frenulum completely cupped by the folded suctioning of Jason's tongue as pre-cum flowed from his gaping piss slit in such quantities it oozed in rivulets over the side of his tongue and lips, even down the sides of his face.

The actions of Jason's oral manipulations spurred JD's lust filled mind as he returned his focus to the enormous phallus, jerking and throbbing below him.

Wrapping his hand as tightly as he could at the very base of Jason's dick, JD pushed the prodigious organ straight up into the air, marveling at the symmetrical beauty of the thing, from the spherical, helmet shaped glans to the thick, tubular veiny shaft, to the oval shape of his large testicles now pulled tight to the base of his cock.

Like his own cock, Jason's dong drooled a near endless supply of pre-cum, and he watched in fascination as it dripped thickly down the front of his shaft, surveying as it pooled against his thumb at the base and dribbled over the side into Jason's thick wiry pubes. without a thought, JD found himself drawn to it, like a moth to flame, his tongue distending as he began lapping at the seminal fluids from the base to the protruding crown of his coronal ridge.

JD's hand pumped Jason's phallus, observing the flared head moving within the folds of his foreskin as even more pre-cum trickled out from beneath the extended lips of his prepuce.

The tip of his tongue dove into the foreskin orifice, penetrating it and diving into his piss slit for even more of the sweet saline tinged seminal nectar, before swirling around inside the innervated mucocutaneous membrane sending waves of pleasure throughout Jason's groin causing him to squirm beneath him, his hips subconsciously rotating and thrusting in rhythm to his oral machinations.

He could hear Jason's gasp right before he dove into JD's dong and slipped it into his sucking mouth, his own fist pumping JD's engorged shaft, milking him of his own manly juices, feasting on them in the carnal lust that now consumed the both of them.

Without preamble or warning the pair erupted into each other's mouths simultaneously, no longer being able to withstand the hormonal driven passion spurring their passions into rapturous emissions.

Their mouths flooded with each other's thick, ropy spurts of jetting cum, each devouring the others ejaculate like starving babes suctioning at their mothers teat, feasting on the testicular bounty their mouths mutually harvested from each other.

As the waves of their passion subsided, JD found himself now laying to the side of Jason his head resting against the steely corded muscles of his massive thigh, more surprising to him, he now realized he had the massive head of Jason's schlong now fully encapsulated by his still suckling mouth.

He had never imagined himself a cocksucker, had never pictured himself capable of even doing so, but now found himself actually enjoying the experience and also enjoying the fact that Jason was still doing the same to him.

Almost reluctantly, he pulled away from Jason's groin to prop himself up on one elbow, looking down his own torso just in time to see Jason release his own spit soaked phallus to sit up and lock eyes with him.

Without a word spoken between them, their mouths collided together, their suctioning, gyrating lips communicating far more effectively the ecstasy they both had just experienced.

Sex with Timmy had always been fun, but this was completely different, JD realized this, knew that the two were incomparable. What he was now feeling for Jason went beyond the sexual fumbling of two horny teenage boys, this was poignant, almost mind altering.

His consciousness searched for the words that could convey the depths of what he had just experienced, as their lips parted JD's eyes devoured Jason's and instantly he saw that everything he was feeling was reflected back at him, their foreheads touched and the tips of their noses rubbed against each other gently as their warm breath caressed each others faces: "FAG" JD chided playfully, a huge grin spreading across his face as he pulled back from a now smiling Jason, who jestingly jabbed him in the chest with is fist: "Cocksucker."

They both burst out in laughter and began lightheartedly wrestling with each other, before collapsing together in each others sweaty arms, JD nestling his head against Jason's muscular, slightly hairy chest, feeling the hairs tickle his nose and enjoying the rhythmic beat of his heart, neither felt any urgency to fill the silence with words that fell short of expressing what they body's now quietly conveyed more eloquently, they just lay there together enjoying the moment for awhile until they heard the sound of tires grating against the gravel of the driveway as a vehicle pulled up and came to a stop.