Something Like Spring

by Jay Bell

  Quack!

  He glanced over to find a duck nipping at the bread slice Caesar had thrown at him. The duck quacked happily between bites, or maybe it was trying to scare them off. Either way, this attracted the attention of more ducks, who waddled over from the pond toward them.

  “Aren’t picnics normally ruined by ants?” Jason said. “I didn’t expect an attack by sea.”

  “Better give in to their demands,” Caesar said, reaching for the loaf of bread.

  Between bites of salad and swigs of beer, they slowly doled out portions of bread to the ducks. A particularly greedy one spent most of its time trying to chase away the others, not getting very much bread in the process, while another felt brave enough to walk onto their blanket, earning itself the biggest share of the loaf. Even once the bread was gone, the duck continued to walk around them in circles, casting a hopeful eye in their direction. Jason kept turning his head to follow its orbit, laughing more than once.

  “You can’t take it home,” Caesar said.

  “Why not? Your parents like strays.”

  “Hm. Good point. I’m taking the greedy duck with us too. I’ll name it Peter.”

  Jason grimaced. “I don’t think he’s happy about us hanging out. This morning was tense!”

  Caesar rolled his eyes. “He’s never happy. I used to think it was his situation, but you seem fine.”

  “Meaning?” Jason asked.

  “That you’re happy.”

  Jason shook his head. “I’ve got my demons too, believe me.”

  “What’s it like?” Caesar asked. “Not having parents, I mean. I can’t even imagine.”

  “You never asked any of the other kids?”

  “Just one guy,” Caesar admitted.

  “What did he say?”

  “He told me to go fuck myself. I figured I might have more luck with you.”

  Jason thought about it. “Cast your mind back to all those times you had the flu, or got in a fight with another kid while out playing. Think about the times you got in trouble at school, or nights when thunder woke you up and scared the hell out of you. What did you want in each of those situations?”

  Caesar answered instantly. “My mom. Except when I got in trouble at school. My dad was always better for that because he thought it was funny.”

  Jason nodded. “Now remember all those times you were barfing up your guts or scared in the middle of the night, and imagine not having your mom and dad there.”

  Caesar considered this and swallowed. “Is that how you always feel?”

  “No. Not every day. Like anything in life, you get used to your situation. I’ve been on my own long enough that it’s not as upsetting anymore. But there will always be days when I want that safe feeling again, when I wish my mom was there to pick me up when I fall and scrape my knee. Sometimes I still wish I could go home.”

  Caesar studied him in the limited light. “I know you hate it when I say I’m sorry, so I won’t, but I hope you know what my silence really means.”

  Jason smiled. “Okay.”

  “Only two more beers left. Want one?”

  “Why not?”

  Caesar was holding out a can when a light swept across the park, causing them both to freeze.

  “What was that?” Jason whispered.

  Caesar’s attention was on the parking lot. “That would be the police. Stay here, I’ll be right back.” He stood, grabbing the remaining beer and empty cans. “Uh, better eat some more fruit salad. Seriously.”

  Jason stared after him as Caesar ran toward the trees. Turning his attention to the parking lot, he saw two flashlights sweeping back and forth across the grass. One rose to blind him briefly, so he grabbed the fruit salad and took a few bites, hoping it would make him appear natural. At least, as natural as a night picnic could appear. He felt slightly better when Caesar rushed back and took his place on the blanket again. After a moment’s thought, Caesar grabbed the fruit salad from Jason and tipped the container to his lips, slurping down the excess juice. Then he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

  “Let me do the talking,” Caesar whispered as the lights drew near. Already they could hear the crackle of a police radio.

  “Police,” a female voice announced, the flashlight momentarily illuminating a badge set against blue fabric before moving back to their faces. The other beam of light was examining their picnic. “What are you boys doing here?”

  “Celebrating,” Caesar said, smiling like the officers were welcome to join them. “We had a great meet tonight.”

  “Meet?” asked a male voice.

  “Wrestling meet,” Caesar explained. “I’m the captain of the team, and if you don’t mind me bragging, I was pinning them like an entomologist tonight.”

  The flashlight started sweeping toward Jason, before it seemed to hesitate and returned to Caesar. “Pinning them like a what?”

  “An insect collector,” Caesar explained. “Just a little wrestling humor.”

  The flashlight moved to Jason’s face.

  “And you?”

  “I’m one of the butterflies he pinned.”

  “And now you’re having a picnic,” the female officer said, not sounding convinced.

  The flashlight remained on Jason, and he made sure to look as indignant as he felt. Of course they were having a picnic! Did they suspect all this was a cover for something illegal? They hadn’t done anything wrong!

  “Have you been drinking?” asked the male voice.

  Oh. Right. Jason’s brain felt like it had gone for a swim and forgotten to bring a towel. “Uh…”

  “No, we haven’t,” Caesar said. “Which sucks because I left the Mountain Dew at home. I was thinking about drinking some of that pond water over there. Think it’s safe?”

  “Stand up,” the female officer commanded.

  Caesar did as he was told, Jason following his lead. Now the flashlight turned skyward, illuminating a hard female face as the officer stepped close to Caesar and told him to exhale, which he did.

  “Sure you haven’t been drinking?”

  “Absolutely, although the fruit salad is a little ripe. Maybe it’s fermented or something.” Caesar’s teeth flashed at her, and her hard face softened somewhat. “I’m totally willing to take a breathalyzer test. We both are.”

  “That’s exactly what’s going to happen,” the officer replied.

  Caesar shrugged, eyes innocent.

  The walkie-talkie crackled again, a hard-to-understand voice coming over the static. “Plates are clear,” the male voice said.

  The female officer nodded, the flashlight shifting to better illuminate Caesar’s features. Again he smiled, like he was totally cool with the situation. The female officer considered him a moment longer before speaking. “The park is closed after eight pm. You boys pack up and go home.”

  “Will do,” Caesar said. The smile remained plastered on his face, even as the officers turned away, shrouding them in darkness once more. The two beams of light bounced back toward the parking lot, accompanied by radio static and dispatch voices.

  “I can’t believe it,” Jason whispered so quietly he was surprised to be heard.

  “I know,” Caesar responded.

  “You’re so awesome!”

  “Thanks. Now all we have to do is get back to the car without appearing drunk. Oh, and I have to drive us home. And we have to sneak in without my parents seeing us, because my dad can definitely tell the difference between beer fumes and fruit salad.”

  “I take it back,” Jason said. “You’re not so awesome.”

  “Yeah I am. Now pack this stuff up. I’m going to run back and get our last two beers.”

  Jason shook his head as he watched him go, realizing that Caesar could probably get away with murder, could have anything he wanted, which meant that the rest of the night would be very interesting indeed.

  * * * * *

  Jason sat on the edge of his bed, an unopened can of beer in his hands. Caesar had sl
ipped it to him before heading to his room, saying it would help pass the time while they waited for the house to settle down. Jason didn’t need the beer. What he needed was a plan. He couldn’t be Steph. He couldn’t imagine being held by Caesar all night and not giving into what his body craved. And yet he didn’t want to be forgettable, like that first girl at the party.

  Perhaps he could find somewhere in between. Not timid, but also not easy. He needed to offer Caesar something new, and after thinking it over, Jason wondered if he couldn’t be his equal—give Caesar the emotional aspect as Steph had done, but also take him on physically, make sex something both special and hot. The only problem was, he didn’t have a clue how.

  Jaw clenching, Jason stood. Enough doubt and worry! He’d already decided he would need a combination of body and heart. Time to send his brain packing so the rest of him could get this done. Jason set the beer on the dresser, closing it in the room behind him. He didn’t think while on his way down the hall, didn’t allow himself to wonder if his performance would be good enough. When he entered Caesar’s room and saw him turn around and smile—picked-up dirty clothes still in hand—Jason didn’t smile back. Instead he approached him with the utmost seriousness and kissed him.

  Caesar tossed aside the laundry and reciprocated, lips struggling to keep up until he finally pulled away and laughed, instantly wounding Jason’s brave heart.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing,” Caesar said. “I was just thinking about you not wanting to be the girl. Is that what this is? Shouldn’t we wrestle first?”

  Hilarious. Jason had wanted to impress Caesar, but apparently his behavior was silly, making him want to slink back to his room and reconsider his strategy. Feeling deflated, he sat on Caesar’s bed and considered the carpet. “I don’t know what you want,” he said.

  “I’d say you do.”

  “Then I don’t know how you want it.”

  A finger touched his chin, gently raising his head. Those honey-golden eyes were on him and still amused, but Jason couldn’t decide if they were cruel or not.

  Caesar took a step back. “Stand up.”

  Jason hesitated, but then did what he was told.

  “Take off your shirt.”

  His cheeks felt a little hot. “What is this?”

  “It’s what I want,” Caesar said. “Take it off.”

  Jason glowered at him before complying. “Now you.”

  “Okay.”

  Caesar granted his wish, and even though it was a simple one, the act felt extremely erotic. Jason was left in his pajama bottoms, Caesar in a pair of boxers, and it was obvious they were both into this. Jason took a step forward but Caesar raised his hand, stopping him.

  “Come to me,” he said.

  “I was going to anyway,” Jason pointed out.

  A smile played across Caesar’s lips. “I know.”

  Jason stepped forward, stopping before their bodies could touch. “Now you come to me,” he said.

  Caesar grinned. “Very well.”

  One step forward was all it took to connect them, for their crotches to touch, for their bare chests to brush against each other. One of Jason’s hands went up Caesar’s back, the other travelling south to grab a butt cheek. His brain had definitely checked out. What remained of Jason only wanted one thing. No hesitation remained, which made what Caesar did next extremely frustrating. He moved Jason’s hands to his hips, holding them there, but at least he had a counter offer. Caesar tilted his head, exposing his neck.

  “Kiss me,” he said. “Right here.”

  Jason did, tasting the natural sweat of his skin, a lingering hint of soap from his shower after wrestling, and a tang of what must have been cologne. His let his tongue curve along the jaw up to the ear, which he invaded briefly before biting on the lobe. Then he went for the lips, but Caesar pulled away.

  “Are you sure you haven’t done this before?”

  Jason grinned. “I’m a quick learner.” He moved in again, but Caesar wasn’t done talking.

  “Hold up. I was enjoying our game.”

  “Game?”

  “I make a request. Then you. Then me. I think it’s your turn. What do you want?”

  Bashfulness stirred inside of Jason, only to be beaten to death by a violent gang of hormones. “Take off your boxers.”

  Caesar didn’t hesitate. He released Jason’s hands and pulled down his boxers, but quickly stepped forward again to wrap arms around him. Jason wanted nothing more than to take a step back so he could see, but Caesar’s grip was tight. Regardless, he could feel something pressing against his hip.

  “Now what should I ask of you?” Caesar said musingly.

  “Come on,” Jason said, his patience nearly exhausted.

  “Okay.” Caesar’s grip on him loosened slightly. “Take off your pajama bottoms.”

  Jason did so, but took advantage of his hands being down there to slide a palm upward along the inside of Caesar’s thigh. He felt the weight of warm testicles on the back of his hand before Caesar grabbed him by the wrists and pinned his arms behind his back.

  “You have to ask first,” Caesar insisted.

  “Oh, there’s definitely something I want,” Jason said.

  “Anything goes.”

  Jason leaned close, whispering his request into Caesar’s ear. What he wanted, more than anything else, was to get on his knees.

  “I see,” came the response, followed by a thoughtful nod. “Tell you what. Grant my next request, and I’ll let you do just that.”

  Jason shook his head, puzzled as Caesar murmured something into his ear. Then Jason’s brow furrowed. “Are you serious?”

  “Say it, and I’ll let you do what you want.”

  “You’re crazy. You really want me to say that?”

  Caesar shrugged. “I think it’s hot.”

  Jason smiled. “You would. Ugh. Okay…” He cleared his throat and forced a straight face. “Hail Caesar.”

  “I’m not convinced you mean it.”

  Jason glared. “I’m going back to my room!”

  “Okay, okay.” Caesar released his wrists, took a step back, and waved his hand in a few lazy loops like royalty granting permission. “You may proceed.”

  At first Jason just stared. He had seen Caesar’s bare chest before so his eyes raced down to the narrow hips, to the carefully trimmed pubic hair, to the parts similar to his own and yet so very different. The cock was narrower and a little longer, the balls hanging lower. Jason’s was pale, the head pink, while Caesar’s was darker with a proud ruby head. His request forgotten, he continued to stare lustfully.

  “Uh, that’s going to drip on the carpet.”

  Jason glanced down, face flushing as he wiped at himself. “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine,” Caesar said, finally growing serious. “No more games. Come here.”

  Caesar placed an arm around Jason’s hips and guided him to the bed. He took Jason’s hand as he rolled onto the mattress, pulling him in. Caesar lay on his side, head on his pillow, like he was settling down to sleep. Jason did the same, facing him in a way that was instantly familiar, except this situation promised so much more.

  “You have a beautiful body,” Caesar said, reaching out to touch him. Like yesterday, he ran his palm across Jason’s torso, but this time he wouldn’t be restricted. Regardless, Caesar kept his touches above the waist, Jason writhing in response. This wasn’t what he pictured at all, that sex would be about his entire body and not just one part. He reached out to do the same, stroking Caesar’s cheek, brushing his fingers along those lips, scooting his body nearer and almost going mad at being so close and yet not quite there.

  Finally, Caesar rolled over on his back. “Okay. Show me what you can do.”

  Jason licked his lips, but not because he was nervous. First he took hold of Caesar, pumping him mechanically until he considered the way he liked to touch himself. Then Jason changed his grip, squeezing his hand tight with every upward stroke. From t
he way Caesar reacted, he appreciated the effort. Feeling more confident, Jason moved his head down to do what he’d fantasized about so often, but that suddenly seemed different now. In his imagination, he never worried about how to position himself above the other guy, or how he still needed to use his hand to keep Caesar in his mouth. He struggled in the beginning but tried his best, reveling in the idea of what was happening more than the actual experience. Eventually, a hand on his shoulder pulled him up back again.

  “Was that all right?” Jason asked.

  “I’ve got no complaints,” Caesar said with a wry grin, “but let me show you a few tricks. Lie back.”

  Jason did so and held his breath. Soon it was released again, exhaled in one long sigh. He kept glancing down, trying to pay attention to what Caesar was doing. There was a lot of slobber, Caesar’s hand and mouth working in unison and sliding up and down his shaft. Or he moved them in opposite directions, hand and mouth bumping together somewhere in the middle before separating again. Teeth intentionally toyed with him, or a tongue lolled around the head of his cock. Jason knew he wouldn’t be able to remember it all because he was barely able to think. He only managed to hiss out a warning just before he was driven over the edge.

  Then he was biting his lip to stop from moaning, pounding the mattress with his fists when Caesar refused to stop. Just before he was about to scream from sheer pleasure, he was released.

  “Deep breaths,” Caesar said, working his way back by kissing Jason’s stomach, his chest, then his shoulder. “You okay?”

  Jason nodded, seeing stars. Holy crap! Would it be like this every time? He took a few deep breaths, laughing when his lips were kissed. The face above his was so beautiful, the eyes reflecting the joy he felt inside. He wanted to make Caesar feel that way too, but couldn’t while stuck on his back. “What about you?” he asked.

  “What about me,” Caesar repeated. He moved his legs up until his knees were in Jason’s armpits. This left something long and hard pointed directly at his face. Caesar was stroking himself, his body already tensing as he brushed Jason’s hair back with his free hand. What was going to happen became clear just seconds before it did. All Jason had time to do was close his eyes and smile.