Growing Josh Ch. 05

"You'll make a great two-spirit. Even better that you have native blood too, even if it isn't Kiowa," she said and then chuckled. "How is Josh doing?"

Trent let out a long held breath, feeling the tension return. "He's getting better. Just too slowly for him. He hates needing help. But he's learning to deal with it, and they say he can start using crutches in a few weeks. He'll be glad when that happens."

Nanna nodded as she considered his evaluation. "And what about you two? His spirit has to heal as well as his body."

"Yes, ma'am. It does, but... well... He won't let me back in. He doesn't trust me."

"Should he? Have you given him reasons to trust you again?"

"I've taken care of him since he's been home, and I've told him over and over that I love him. I don't know what else to do."

"You know, the Washita Mountains were once like the Rockies."

Trent cocked an eyebrow at the strange change in the conversation. "Yes, ma'am. I guess so."

"But all that's left is the granite core. Just huge rocks the size of houses if you go up Mount Scott."

Trent nodded this time, wondering where this was going.

"You know what happened?"

"To the mountains?" asked Trent, deciding he was about to hear some of the native philosophy that Sheriff White Cloud was so fond of dispersing. "No, ma'am. What happened?"

"The wind happened! Didn't you take geology? Nothing can stand up to a millennium of the Oklahoma wind."

Trent chuckled and nodded. "Yes, I can see that. But..." Trent wavered, still not making the connection.

"You have to be the wind, Khee khoat. Just wear Josh down."

Trent smiled at the old woman. "Yes, ma'am. I'll do that."

He watched as she levered herself off the bench and then reached down to pat his knee. "Such a nice polite man you are. Jimmy didn't describe you that way."

Trent nodded in acknowledgment, realizing he'd had an entire conversation without a 'yeah' and with a whole lot of yes, ma'am and no ma'am's. He guessed Josh was wearing off on him.

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"You know, if you aren't going to let him back in you need to be honest with Trent and cut him loose," said Mitch with no preamble.

Josh looked up from the refrigerator; his evening snack time now sent spiraling in a direction he was tired of exploring. Darrin had given him the same talk a few days earlier. He sat the snacks on the counter and let out a sigh. But now his stomach had turned sour, and he wasn't interested in the food. Deep down Josh knew he still had feelings for Trent. But the pain had been so overwhelming; he didn't think he could survive it again. He didn't trust him, but he had to admit that Trent had been there when he needed him.

"If it's that easy, what would you do?" said Josh.

"Do you love him? Have you talked to him about why he left?"

Josh stood quietly, thinking about the question. He put both hands on the counter and sighed. "Yes, I love him. I was going to ask him to marry me. I had a ring and everything. And no, I haven't asked what happened."

"If you love him, don't you owe it to him to talk about why he left?"

"Damn it, Mitch! I don't want to be reasonable," said Josh, half way meaning what he said.

"I know, but you can either decide to stay pissed off for the rest of your life, or give him a chance to explain."

"OK. Fine. You and Darrin are right. I've been acting like a kid. I'll talk with Trent. Now, would you mind helping me get this stuff to the table? It's a pain in the butt to try and carry it all on crutches."

Mitch walked over, grabbed the food Josh had pulled out and followed him. He was careful not to let Josh see the look of triumph plastered on his face.

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"We need to talk."

Trent looked up to see Josh standing at the doorway, leaning on his crutches and looking particularly miserable. Trent braced himself for another outburst about how horrible he was and how tired Josh was of being injured. He'd heard it all before, and would probably hear it again, but he would do it.

"Sure, Josh. What's up?"

"Why did you leave?"

Trent froze, his emotions roiling at the thought of rehashing that episode. But he had known it was coming. At least if Josh was ever going to forgive him, it was. They had talked about the surface stuff already, Trent knew Josh was asking for the details now. He braced himself and then began.

"Well it wasn't you; it was me. I know that's the worst line in the world, but it's true. You were great, life was great, I guess it was just so good that I was afraid how much it was going to hurt when it crashed around me. Because Josh, disasters always follow me."

"Yeah, you told me all this. But why then, what made it unbearable? I thought I was giving you lots of time."

Trent let his head drop, staring at his navel he said, "Cause I found it..."

"Found it? Found what?" Josh screwed up his face, trying to figure out what Trent was talking about.

"In your drawer, I was cleaning, everything fell out, and I found it. I swear I wasn't digging through your stuff."

"In my drawer?" said Josh, still trying to remember. Suddenly his eyes shot open. "The ring?"

Trent nodded, worried what Josh's reaction would be to what could be interpreted as him digging through Josh's personal stuff. His heart was fluttering as he watched Josh, unable to decipher the flitter of emotions that came across his face. Josh gave him a hard look.

"It was engraved. I had it engraved."

"Yes. That's how I knew for sure what it was."

"It got too real for you. You knew at some point I'd already decided to ask you to marry me."

"Yes. Scared the fuck'n hell out of me."

Surprisingly. a soft chuckle came from Josh. "I hear the whole marriage thing has that effect on guys." He let out a sigh. "But you don't have to worry. That ring is long gone. It was still in our house when the tornado hit."

Trent felt a flutter in his heart, Josh had called it 'our house'. "I'm sorry it's gone, Josh."

Josh leveled a look at Trent that stopped him cold in his tracks. "I'm not getting the next one, and I won't be asking you to marry me either."

"Oh...I understand."

"That's right. This time you have to seduce me, and you will be the one down on one knee. And yes, I damn sure want you on your knee when you do it."

Trent's mouth fell open, a mask of disbelief on his face. Time stood still while he processed the information. After what seemed like hours he began to speak again, and as he did a huge smile broke across his face. "I got it. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything, when the time is right."

Trent walked over the Josh and wrapped him in a warm hug for the first time since he'd returned. He felt a slight tension from Josh initially, but it lessened as the hug lingered. After a few minutes, Trent released him. He separated from Josh and then wiped a tear from his face.

"Thanks, Josh. I'm glad we're back together."

"Trent, I'm not gonna lie to you. We aren't back to where we were. It's going to take some time. But I'm willing if you are."

"I'm here for as long as it takes," said Trent, a victorious smile on his face.

Josh chuckled. "Anyone who is willing to wipe my ass for me, deserves a second chance."

Trent's smile was incandescent as he shook his head at Josh.

<><><><>

They went slowly through the house the guys were considering buying. As they moved, Trent was finding the thump of crutches on the floor a comforting sound. For both him and Josh it was the sound of reclaimed freedom. Josh stopped to study the kitchen, and Trent walked over, wrapped his arms around his hips and pulled him close.

"So, what do you think?"

Josh twisted slightly and gave Trent a peck on the cheek. "It looks great. It's not huge, but plenty of room for us. Anne liked to cook so it's got a nice kitchen. I know you'll like that. And the bathroom off the master bedroom is nice sized."

Trent chuckled and rubbed his hand over Josh's back. "You sound like a Realtor. Just tell me you like it and I'm good."

Josh shuddered slightly in Trent's arms. "To be honest, the best thing is that it's built into a hill. One tornado in a lifetime is more than enough. I'll sleep better here than anywhere else I can think of during storm season."

"I thought you might say that. I talked with Mitch, and he said we can buy the house from them." Trent stopped and looked into Josh's ice blue eyes. "If you're OK with that."

"You want to buy a house together?" asked Josh.

Trent chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I do."

"I do too." Josh grinned.

"Looks like we're going to be home owners then. We'll need to move the goats down here I guess," said Trent.

"Darrin said the two ranches will still be run like one, so they can go wherever we want. But there is a lot more brush down here, so we'll probably move them. At least for a little while."

Trent nodded, relieved that their goats were coming with them. He looked back at Josh and then leaned over and kissed him gently, cupping his hand behind Josh's neck.

"Come on, let's look through the rest of the house since we're going to be moving in later this week." The pair went through the house, planning what should be where as they went from room to room. Once they had finished, both of them were looking forward to being in their new house.

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"Can I get a few minutes rest by saying that I'm recovering from an injury?" said Josh.

Trent laughed and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Only if I can rest too."

"Man, I hate moving."

"Well, at least we had help. And this is the last load of boxes. You got off pretty easy with the doctor saying you couldn't lift more than ten pounds," said Trent as he leaned against the kitchen table. He watched as Josh walked over to him, a limp very evident in spite of his obvious attempts to hide it. Once he was closer, Trent grabbed him and lifted him to sit on the table. Standing between Josh's legs, the two of them leaned against each other. They were both sweaty and hot, but the interior of the house was cool and dim.

Trent wondered—was this it?. They had been affectionate, but he had not pressed the intimacy issue. Partly because of Josh's concerns about him, but mostly he did not want to reinjure Josh. He would have never told him, but Trent was very happy that he was able to take care of himself again. Health care was not an area Trent ever wanted to explore as a career. His attention was snapped back when he felt Josh's fingers stroke his stubble-covered cheek.

"You're beautiful."

Trent chuckled. "Ditto, lover." He leaned in and kissed Josh softly. As their mouths separated, he pulled back, licked his lips and gave Josh a leer.

"How are the bones today?" asked Trent, a happy lilt in his voice.

Josh leaned in and flicked his tongue against the tip of Trent's nose. "Very good, as in completely healed. But I have another bone that needs some attention, badly!"

Trent chuckled at Josh but leaned against him and groped his crotch. "Let's see if we can't fix that bone too." He pulled down Josh's zipper, let his fingers slip in the opening and touch the hard shaft trapped inside. Josh let out a low growl as Trent rubbed his fingers over the growing wet spot in his underwear.

"Better?" asked Trent with a smirk.

Josh answered with a flurry of satisfied sounds. Trent's hands slipped under his damp T-shirt and lifted it over his head. His hands wandered over Josh's chest, still toned and desirable in spite of the months of forced inactivity. Trent's fingers traced through the chest hair and enjoyed the sensation. Leaning closer, Trent ran his hands over Josh's back and let his tongue circle the brown nipple. Josh pressed against him, his breath coming in gasps. Trent felt Josh's strong hands gripping his head, directing his efforts to where Josh wanted it most.

"I've missed this so much. Damn, it feels good."

Trent released Josh's nipple with a pop, and then leaned in for a kiss. He snagged Josh's bottom lip and tugged on it gently with his teeth. Releasing it, he dove in and ran his tongue between Josh's lips, tasting and sampling the flavor that was uniquely Josh's.

Trent continued to sample Josh for several long minutes. Slowly pulling apart, both gasped for air, their cocks engorged with blood. Trent leered at Josh, and without losing eye contact, he reached inside Josh's pants and fondled him. His body shuddered under Trent's touch.

He stepped back, enjoying the sight of his man again writhing with passion he had created. Trent ripped his shirt off and let it fly indiscriminately. He saw Josh was watching him and decided to give him a show. Turning his backside toward Josh, he started slowly rolling his hips, showing off his bubble butt that he knew Josh liked so much. Opening the first button, he let his jeans slide down his hips, teasing Josh with a view of the top of his ass.

He spun around and thrust out his bulging crotch and grasped it with both hands, squeezing it hard as he did. Thrusting, he started lowering his zipper, his thin white underwear stretched obscenely. Trent did a bump and grind until his jeans were around his ankles, and then kicked off his boots and ripped off his pants.

Moving against Josh, he dry humped the handsome man's leg, feeling his underwear become soaked as his cock belched out precum, the friction driving him toward his edge.

Trent moved his hips away and tugged at Josh's clothing, dropping it in a pile beside them. An urgency encased Trent as his hands began to reacquaint themselves with Josh's stunning body. He gripped Josh's dick tightly in his hand and started licking it like an ice cream cone. His tongue ran quick swirls around its head, tracing and dipping into the drooling slit in its tip with each revolution. He squatted lower and sucked one of Josh's nuts into his mouth, covering it with spit.

He felt a hand grasping his head, pulling him off. "Slow down, babe. I'm so close. I'm about to nut on your face."

"Oh no, I have plans for that load," said Trent. He leaned in and kissed the underside of Josh's cock and then stood up and pressed his lips against Josh's.

"Don't move," whispered Trent. He sprinted for the bedroom and was back in moments with a bottle of lube. He slid onto the kitchen table, lifting his legs so Josh could watch him prepare himself. He filled his hand with the clear gel, and then rubbed it up and down his crack. Pressing against his hole with each pass, he started moaning from the sensations. His eyes fluttered shut, and his breath exhausted in a gust as he rammed two fingers inside himself. He heard Josh's moan of appreciation and smiled to himself. It was working. Things were coming back.

Trent continued, teasing and prodding until he had three fingers buried inside. Pressing them hard and deep, he froze for a second, his body arching upward as the pleasure surged through him. He let his fingers slip out and looked at Josh.

"Fuck me, Josh. I need you inside me again."

Josh moved closer, grabbed Trent's thighs and pulled him to the edge. He rubbed his cock over the drenched hole, and then without warning, plunged himself inside Trent.

"Damn!" said Trent, hissing through the pain of the sudden entry. But the sting quickly evaporated and sensations of ecstasy flooded his system. Josh paused briefly and then began pounding Trent. The pleasure was overwhelming, Trent's mind drifted into a sex-induced haze as Josh's thick cock battered his prostate. He needed this so much; he knew he'd never last long. He had not been with anyone since he'd left. And it felt perfect, being back with Josh.

Josh's rhythm faltered, signaling the beginning of his orgasm. Trent felt his hands lock on his thighs as, with grunt after grunt, he emptied his nuts into Trent. He could feel the pressure, the twitching, inside him. Trent locked his heels behind Josh's ass, trying to pull him tighter.

Trent smiled in surprise when Josh began to gain speed, his cock losing none of its steel. He urged Josh on, digging his heels into his butt, feeling his already swollen prostrate taking a magical pounding. Trent again lost himself in the sensations, his body racing toward the pinnacle of his pleasure. With a final shudder and moan, cum shot from his throbbing cock.

"Damn!" screamed Trent.

Trent writhed on the table, Josh pinning him and rabbit fucking his hole while his cock shot jet after jet of translucent cum over them. Trent felt one stream land across his face just in time to see Josh's face transformed by a second orgasm. The two of them drifted in the web of their shared climax, feeling a rejoining begin. Their scents and sacred fluids joined, and Trent knew he would need to take Josh with him to meet his father's family, so he could introduce his husband to them.

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Darrin struggled to shake off the cloak of sleep as he recognized the noise that had awakened him. Grabbing for the phone, he tried to calm the normal panic that accompanied late night calls. On his first attempt to push the call button, the phone had reacted like a living creature and flipped out of his hands and onto the floor.

"Damn it!"

Darrin felt Mitch struggle awake as the phone, and Darrin's cursing filled the room. With a final lurch to grab his still buzzing phone, Darrin slid off the bed and landed on the floor.

"Fuck! Goddamn phone!"

With it firmly in his hands, he hit the button and shoved it against his ear as he scooted his bare ass across the carpet so he could lean against the bed.

"Hello!" said Darrin, his nerves and patience shot.

The dead silence did nothing to improve his mood, even as Mitch crawled across the bed and laid a hand on his shoulder in support. When the silence continued to stretch, he tried again, furious that someone was prank calling him.

"Hello? Who is this!"

A few more moments passed, and just as Darrin was about to cut the call, he heard someone clear his throat.

"Ah, yeah, hi. Darrin?"

"Yes, this is Darrin. Who is this? How did you get my number?"

"Hmmm, it's Kevin. Kevin Boorman. I had the department directory in my phone..."

Darrin was shocked, the last of the sleep fog blasted away. He turned to Mitch whose eyebrows were knitted in concern, which shifted to surprise when Darrin mouthed the name of the caller to him. Seconds later Mitch's face was clouded with anger, and he motioned for Darrin to hang up. Darrin knew so far as Mitch was concerned, nothing good could come of this. In many ways, Darrin agreed with Mitch, but he was also curious. He supposed it was the sign of a good researcher.

"Hello? You still there?"

Darrin's frown deepened as he answered. "Yes, I'm still here. What do you want, Boorman?" Darrin glanced at the clock. "It's three o'clock in the morning, what're you doing? I don't appreciate having more crap pulled on me."

"No. I swear I'm not pulling anything. I... Well, I need help."

"And you called me? Seriously? What the fuck were you thinking?"

There was a pause that stretched to an uncomfortable length, Darrin could hear breathing, but there was no conversation. He needed the time though; he really did not want to help. Kevin had caused trouble for him and Mitch ever since graduate school. That same person was asking for help now, from him. His anger was building, Kevin had no right to ask him or Mitch for help.

Darrin was about to tell him to fuck off, when he heard Kevin start to talk. "There was no one else I could trust..."

Darrin exploded. "You've got to be kidding! You've tried to get me fired every chance you get, and I'm the one you can trust?"

"Yes, you could lie about me. But you won't. No matter what I've done, you've always been honest."

Darrin clenched his jaw, his frustration showing. "Call one of your friends. Don't you dare call here again. You've caused us enough trouble. Bye!" Darrin yanked the phone away from his ear and was about to hit disconnect.