Fun and Games

AN:  I’m quite pleased at how quickly this is moving along.  Having fun with it, too.  Only one more chapter left after this one, yay!  *feels accomplished*

 

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Sione: Thanks much, my friend!  I’m looking forward to working on those other stories, too.  But in the meantime… we’ll see if this chapter has enough “teenagers with too many hormones” for you.  *wink wink*

 

BlackShadowChild:  Thank you!  Dax does seem a bit conflicted, poor dear…  Let’s see if he won’t settle down a bit and bask in all that extra attention.

 

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Characters:  Jak, Dax, and the lovely places in which they play all belong to Naughty Dog, Inc.

 

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     “Hey, back off, pal—it’s my shot!”

     The rock skipped ahead of them, urged on by swift kicks when they managed to catch up to it.  First Jak would dart forward, then Daxter, sending the pebble bouncing away down the long path.  Once in a while it would strike a tree trunk, ricochet off an outcrop of living stone, disappear into a clump of flowering scrub.  Unluckily for it, it was always sought out again.

     Fluffy white clouds drifted serenely through blue skies.  Birds perched and sang in shaded stands of tall pine trees.  A cool breeze whistling down the shallow canyon made deep green grass ripple, teased bright flowers to bob and sway.  As an added bonus, it also kept the boys from getting too warm as they alternately walked and ran, a heavy load of camping gear shared between them on the long trek through the mountain valleys near Rock Village. 

     Jak couldn’t help but notice their picturesque surroundings between short stints of pebble abuse.  He also couldn’t help but notice a certain redhead’s high energy level, and had to wonder how much sugar the little guy had dumped on his grapefruit that morning.  Jak watched his friend out of the corner of his eye as Daxter hared off ahead once more.  They had been walking for hours with few pauses to rest, and despite the fact that he was carrying almost as much as Jak the redhead was still sprinting forward like they were newly set out on their adventure.

     “Jak, hurry up!  I think there’s a stream or somethin’ up here!”

     The green-blonde grinned, hoisting the bundle of their canvas tent higher on his back.  A nice splash sounded marvelous, considering that they had spent a lengthy leg of the journey avoiding random lava pits.  Maybe there was a reason Uncle had never allowed them to come exploring here before… Regardless of how safe it was, the length of the march was something to be considered.  They should really ask Keira to invent them some sort of way to get through the canyons much more quickly.

 

     The trip alone had been well worth any trouble, though.  After filching his uncle’s spare map out of a sock drawer in the absent old man’s room, they had taken the evening before to prepare supplies.  The next morning they had set out at first light.  Cutting inland from the top of the waterfall on Sentinel Beach, they had made good time toward a place on the map dubbed “the Precursor Basin.”  Upon reaching the spot around mid-afternoon, Jak was willing to set up camp in the fascinating place.  Daxter, however, had urged him on.  It was probably the fact that all the ancient structures that glowed in the basin by day (and there were a lot, mind) would glow brighter by night, and probably be creepier than the redhead wanted to admit.  Jak knew he had always been slightly scared of the Precursor concept. 

     So they had pressed on, soon coming up against a gorge of bubbling magma.  By following the path it cut north and east, they been able to descend into their current location once the terrain became a little less… molten, and lot more green.  Shadows were beginning to lengthen now as they continued down the narrow valley.  Very soon Jak would gently insist that they stop and make camp for the evening.

     But first…

     “Geronimo!”  There was an enormous splash as Daxter threw off his pack and hit the shallow stream at a run. 

     Jak immediately did likewise, letting out a loud yell of shock and delight as icy water drenched him to above his shin guards.  They began splashing one another at once, rinsing off the sweat and dust of almost a full day’s brisk walking.  Daxter shrieked and laughed as the green-blonde caught him in a headlock, tried to force him to his knees in the clear, cold brook.  But, before he could accomplish his act of chilly mischief, something caught Jak’s eye.  A sparkle at the bottom of the stream.

     Letting go of the redhead, he bent down and scooped it from the mud.  The sluicing water cleared away the muck in seconds, leaving a bright stone in Jak’s palm.  It was a mostly transparent crystal, streaked through with blue rock.  Jak stared at his find for half a beat, then grinned widely.  It was perfect!

     “What is it, Jak?  Find somethin’ cool?”

     Grinning slyly, Jak held the rock behind his back.  He could have some fun before he handed it over.  And give it to Daxter he would, in just a few moments.  He had been halfheartedly searching for something to give to the redhead all day.

     That morning, soon after they had set out, Daxter had found a bright red feather on the path.  After only a second of deliberation, he had unexpectedly turned to Jak and tied the trophy in the green-blonde’s hair.  It was a decoration from a bird as wild and free as the boys felt just then, on their way to new places and exciting new adventures in the dawn light. 

     The feather was still in his hair, as a matter of fact—he intended to let it stay until it fell out on its own.  The odd and very un-Daxter gesture had made Jak warm and squirmy on the inside.  He had wanted to gift the redhead something in return, but no more feathers were forthcoming and Dax wasn’t likely to react well if presented with, say, a flower.  This pretty stone would be just the thing.

     “Aww, c’mon!  Lemme see!”

     Jak ducked a curiously pawing hand and pretended to ignore the playful whine.  Still holding the rock behind his back, he made as if to climb back up the bank and out of the stream.

     “Jaaak!” 

     Insistent tugging on his tunic made the young adventurer laugh.  Conceding at last, he turned back to his friend and held out the prize.  It sparkled brilliantly in the golden evening light, glistening on his wet palm.  Daxter was suitably impressed.

    “Hey, that’s pretty cool!  Man, you have all the luck, big guy.  That’s an awesome sparkly ya got there.”

     What a coincidence. That was just what Jak wanted to hear.  Smiling almost bashfully, he held it out and offered it to the redhead.

     “Huh?”  Daxter glanced up, startled.  “I can have it?  Fer real?”

     Jak nodded.

     For a moment it looked like Daxter might question his willingness to give up such a nice find that was more than rightfully his, making the green-blonde squirm in embarrassment as he tried to explain.  However, the moment soon passed.  When Jak pressed the present into his hand he took it without protest, undeniably pleased.

     “Wow.  Thanks, pal!”  Busy polishing the rock on his sleeve and then holding it up to the light, he completely missed the soft smile and faint dusting of a blush on the taller boy’s face.

     Jak was glad Daxter liked it.  Dax was his best friend, and lately something even more than that.  Jak still couldn’t place exactly what that something more was, but it had at least a little to do with all the mutual touching they had been engaging in as of late.  Jak wasn’t naïve enough to believe otherwise.  However, it was more than that, as well.

     The warm glow in his chest prompted Jak to step forward while Daxter’s back was turned, reach out to gather the redhead into a hug.  Though he still would not tolerate the giving of kisses, Dax would occasionally allow such affectionate embraces if they only lasted for a short moment.  Before Jak could get his arms around him, however, Daxter stepped away, obliviously tucking the rock into his pocket.

     “Well, we better get a move on.  Ya wanna find a good spot ta stop fer the night, right Jak?”

     Jak sighed and nodded, a little disappointed. 

     More and more he was beginning to wish the redhead didn’t have such a dislike of what he scornfully called “sappy stuff,” as opposed to the “sexy stuff” they both now more than welcomed from one another.  Whether he meant to or not, Jak was slowly starting to see his little buddy as someone dangerously close to fitting the description of “girlfriend.” 

     Err…  Well, Daxter would fit said description quite nicely except for a few obvious differences between his anatomy and that of a girl.  Alright.  Boyfriend, then.  Jak wasn’t picky when it came to labels.  He didn’t have to say them, so obviously they couldn’t count for very much.

     The boys climbed out of the stream, content to gather their nearly forgotten gear and keep walking in search of the ideal campsite.  Jak kept his hopes up.  He was far from a quitter.  The evening had barely begun, and Daxter was in a good mood.  He might yet be able to get by with some otherwise discouraged behavior.

 

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     “Almost done with the tent?  Great!  I’m gonna go get some more water so we can get dinner cookin’.  Don’t run off anywhere without me!”

     Jak grinned, pulling the last rope tight between a sturdy pole and the stake he had just driven deep into the ground.  One tent, finished and ready to be camped in.  Wiping dirty hands on his pants, the green-blonde watched absently as Daxter disappeared around a large outcropping of stone.  The redhead would be alright on his own—the stream was only a few minutes’ walk away.

     They had been lucky to find such a nice spot to camp.  A small raised patch of grassy land, the little knoll they had claimed for the evening was in the lee of a large rock formation.  It would be perfect for blocking the brisk wind that whistled down the valley.  A stand of pines nearby provided more than enough firewood, and the short distance back to the mountain stream meant they didn’t have to worry about conserving water.  They could even make some soup for dinner if they wanted. 

     Jak did want.  His stomach grumbled loudly, and he placed his hand over it with some amusement.  A handful of nuts and dried fruit on the march that afternoon did not an adequate lunch make.  No wonder Dax was so intent on getting dinner started.

     Turning to the small campfire ringed with rocks, their first accomplishment once the site was settled upon, Jak took a moment to puff out his chest with pride.  He felt so damn grown up.  This wasn’t hard at all.  It was exciting and fun, even if they weren’t technically exploring anything that hadn’t already been discovered before.  Simply being out in the wild, just him and Daxter on their own, relying on instinct and ingenuity and each other…  Was it any wonder he wanted to follow in his uncle’s footsteps and be a real explorer someday?

     Still smiling, the self proclaimed explorer-in-training sought out their packs.  Daxter had already dumped out all the cooking apparatus they would need any time soon, so Jak was safe stashing the bags inside the tent.  He also gathered their sleeping rolls, pillows, and extra blankets.  It had been a real pain dragging along so much bedding, but Jak also had an ulterior motive.  Somewhat nervously, he spread it all neatly on the floor of the tent.  One never could tell when a little extra padding under you might be appreciated, after all…

     “Hey, Jak!  Jak!  There’s fish in that stream, pal!” 

     Predictably, when Daxter returned he did not so much run back to camp as he exploded into it like a yellow eco vent blowing its top.  He panted excitedly, nearly tripping over himself and barely managing to not spill the cook pot full of water he had fetched.  Jak poked his head out of the tent curiously.

     “Please, please say ya brought yer hooks an’ line?  We could have fish stew!”

     The green-blonde nodded.  Though he had not carted along his fishing rod, the lines, hooks, and sinker stones that went with it were tucked into a pocket of his pack.  With a little bait, it was quite possible they could make use of them.

     “Whoo-hoo!”  The redhead pumped his fist happily.  He was probably just as hungry as Jak, and hoping for something with a little more protein to add to their dinner.  “You wanna go try yer luck at the stream, or stay here an’ cut up carrots while I do it?”

     Rolling his eyes, Jak crawled out of the tent.  Dax had lost more of his hooks than he cared to think about, with those too-enthusiastic casts that nearly always managed to get hung up on something unless they were fishing from the very end of the fisherman’s boat dock.  Better that Jak would bring back the fish.

     “Fine, be that way.  Just fer that I’m puttin’ extra mushrooms in this soup.”

     With a huff of pretended aggravation, Jak turned to the ties of the tent flap.  He steadfastly resisted the temptation to secure them to a support pole, holding the flap open and providing a perfect view of the cozy beds he had just made up.  As much as he wanted to unobtrusively drop that particular hint, if the tent stood open bugs would get inside it.  They definitely didn’t want that. 

     And, besides.  He couldn’t take the chance of seeming too eager.  If the redhead caught on that Jak was in any way hoping, craving, burning for some action between them—the little bastard would rag him mercilessly for it, then smugly hold out on him.  Well, not this time, not if Jak had anything to say about it.  No way was he putting up with Daxter’s games tonight.  Tonight he had a much better plan.  Now, if it would only work…

     “Hey, dreamer-boy.  You gonna bring us back some supper here, or just play with the tent all night?”

     A quick hand gesture sent the redhead into gales of laughter as Jak pocketed some hooks, wound his fishing line around one hand, and set off for the brook with a small smirk.  Let the little guy enjoy his merriment.  Tonight it would be Jak who got the last laugh.

 

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     “Come on, Jakkie-boy.  Eat yer mushrooms.  They’re good for ya!”

     The sun had nearly set by the time Jak returned from the stream with two handsomely speckled fish.  True to his word, Daxter had been industriously boiling up a soup to which the prizes on Jak’s line would be a tasty addition.  They sat by the fire as darkness descended and the stars peeked out, wooden bowls of steaming soup in hand and a handkerchief full of freshly picked berries shared on the ground between them. 

     Rising wind.  Gathering clouds over the moon.  Warm fire, good food, best friends in their own little world.  A nearly perfect evening. 

     “Open up, Jak.  Here comes the tastiest nibble in the whole wide world!”

     Making a comical face, Jak smacked the proffered spoon away.  For the life of him, he could not figure out what people saw in mushrooms as a food group.  Anything that had both gills and spores and grew on rotting plants was firmly banned from his diet.  Daxter knew this.  And he didn’t care.  Snickering, the smaller boy moved in for the kill, spoon upraised.

     Three seconds later they were rolling in the grass, empty bowls—uneaten mushrooms excepted—and spoons knocked carelessly to the side.  Laughing and yelping when one or the other got in a good pinch or poke, they let the cool night air work its magic.  Surrounded by soft shadows, the crisp smell of rain, the sounds of wind, water, and the calls of night creatures echoing through the dark… the solitude of the lonely valley was absolute.  Total and complete freedom.  Intoxicating. 

     As was most often the case, Jak emerged the victor of their tussle.  After only a few moments he pinned the redhead to the ground, keeping him from squirming away with big hands planted firm but gentle on boney shoulders.  He smirked down as his captive.  No mushrooms tonight. 

     “Just wait, smart ass.  Soon as I hit that damn growth spurt, yer gonna get it so bad!”

     Jak’s wide grin melted into a much mellower smile.  Dax was cuter than ever when he pouted like that.  No…  He was more than cute.  The firelight did something wonderful to that already vibrant hair, and freckles stood out bolder on pale cheeks when playful shadows flickered across them.

     The green-blonde allowed himself to relax, his body cautiously pressing down against the redhead’s.  Completely forgetting his vow of subtlety, he lifted a hand to cup Daxter’s face.  Callused but gentle fingers moved to tease into that warm hair that almost seemed to glow.  If only, if only Dax would not protest for a change…

      No good.  The redhead was getting That Look in his eye—the look that meant Jak was tiptoeing over a line, and Daxter was about to put a stop to it.  Before he could do so, however, he jumped in surprise.  Jak quickly drew back as Dax shook his head rapidly, a hand flying up to rub at one suddenly squinting eye.

     A green brow raised in silent query.  What?

     The redhead sat up and shrugged, rather uncomfortably.  “Eh.  Raindrop.”

     Easing back, accepting in stride that the mood was broken beyond repair, Jak glanced up at the dark sky.  The moon was no longer visible, and a clear break between sky with stars and sky without was easily distinguishable.  The clouds were serious tonight.  Rain, at the least.  A storm, at the worst.  It was a good thing the two of them were fully prepared.

     Quickly and quietly they gathered what little gear was still lying about and retreated into the safety of the tent just before the rain began to come down in earnest.  The first rumbles of thunder echoed off the rock walls of the valley as Jak fastened their small eco lantern to its hook on the wooden pole that supported the tent roof. 

     All they had to do now was wait out the storm.  And that wasn’t so hard.

     Jak had brought along a book he had borrowed from Samos, full of sketches and descriptions of all sorts of plants.  There was just enough light to look at it by.  Pulling the book from his pack, the green-blonde settled in on his bed roll to read.   

     “Aww, c’mon, Jak!  Yer not just gonna bury yer head in that boring ol’ book all night, are ya?  That’s no fun at all.”

     At the whine, Jak gave his friend an innocent look.  What else was he supposed to do if it was raining allicats and crocadogs?  They couldn’t go jumping about in the dark like wild crickets if there was a storm brewing out there.  Holding out the worn volume, he offered it to the redhead.

     Daxter made a face, falling sideways melodramatically to drape across his own pillow.  “No, I do not want to see it instead, thanks all the same.  A boring book is a boring book, no matter who’s readin’ it.”

     Jak shrugged and resumed learning about the medicinal qualities of certain swamp mosses, leaving Daxter to sigh loudly.  It didn’t take much for the redhead to crave either entertainment or attention… and that was what Jak was counting on that night.  He turned page after page with a tiny smile, watching Daxter in his peripheral vision get more and more restless.

     Within just a few minutes Daxter had moved off his blankets and was digging in their packs.  When nothing interesting was to be found there, he shook out the long length of rope they had brought and recoiled it more tightly.  Then he uncoiled it again.  Three practice knots later the rope too was abandoned in favor of picking loose strings off his fraying foot wraps.

     Jak could hardly keep from grinning as he listened to the other boy rustle around their tight temporary quarters.  Dax was like a small animal, always needing to be moving or occupied with something.  Activities like quiet thinking, sitting still, waiting for anything, and being patient for any length of time did not appeal to him in the slightest.

     Finally, seeming almost desperate, Daxter pulled out the pretty stone Jak had given him earlier that evening.  He began to toss the rock from hand to hand, then into the air, catching it in one palm or the other.  Just when it seemed like the redhead was suitably engrossed…

     Ping!  The rock hit the underside of the hanging eco lantern with undue force, ricocheted, and nailed Jak in the back of the head.   

     “Uh, he-heh… sorry.”

     Jak highly doubted that.  Being one who very rarely spoke, he knew a silent scream for attention when he didn’t hear it.  He kept his cool, however.  Doing his best to keep his expression neutral the green-blonde reached for the rock and calmly handed it back to his friend. 

     “Gee… thanks, pal.”  In the light of the still-swaying lantern, the redhead’s half pout was far from undetectable.

     Laughter was out of the question.  Jak went back to “reading” with an iron will, refusing to be the one to cave.  Let the redhead squirm.  Jak was always the one to initiate their more intimate contact—always, even if the redhead showed every sign of being likewise interested.  Not tonight, he was determined.  Tonight it was Daxter’s turn to come to him. 

     Unobtrusively Jak shifted his position, spreading out more on the bed roll.  Lying on his side with one elbow braced on the floor to support his upper body and cheek propped on his fist, he let both the book and his legs fall open.  One leg up, foot flat on the floor, the other leg bent comfortably, just so… there.  That should do it.  Now all he had to do was win the waiting game.

     It didn’t take long.  Almost immediately Jak began to notice the little glances being darted at him, the faltering rhythm of the rock flying up into the air and smacking back down into Daxter’s palm.  The redhead was taking the bait.

     Jak had been staring at the same page of his book for at least three minutes by the time the rock stilled, and finally went back into a pocket.  In a few minutes more the green-blonde was more than aware of the nervous gaze being directed at him by his suddenly quiet companion.  He ignored it.  It was almost five full minutes later when Daxter finally cleared his throat.

     “Uh… hey, Jak?”

     Victory was sweet.  Jak carefully closed the book, making sure to take his time marking the page with a dried leaf he had picked up for the purpose.  Only then did he turn his full attention to the redhead.  Yes?

     “There’s, uh… somethin’ I’ve been wantin’ ta ask ya…”

     Jak nodded encouragingly. 

     “I mean, I’ve been thinkin’ about it fer a while, and… since we got a lotta time on our hands right just now, y’know, I thought maybe…”  Daxter really was squirming now.  Sitting cross-legged on his blankets, the redhead was plucking industriously at invisible specks of dust on the pillow in his lap.  He did not attempt eye contact.  “I thought maybe we could… that you’d… uh…”

     Jak let the barest hint of a grin slip; he was fully aware of the blush creeping across those fair cheeks as his friend fidgeted.  Airily the green-blonde waved a hand, an invitation for the other to get to the point.

     Angrily the redhead squared thin shoulders, an obvious attempt at gathering courage.  There was a surreptitious gulp, a clenching of hands on the much-abused pillow, a deep breath before he announced—

     “I wantyatasuckmycockokay?!”

     Jak blinked.  Stared.  Blinked again.  Say what, now?  Had he really just heard what he thought he…?

     Daxter apparently took the lack of response in the negative.  He immediately looked away again, flushed ears drooping contritely.  “I… I’ll do it back.  I swear.”

     In the very next instant, Jak was nodding rigorously.  He absolutely could not believe his luck!  If that was really what the redhead wanted, had been thinking about for an extended period of time no less, then who was he to refuse the request?  Especially with the added incentive of promised reciprocity. 

     Daxter perked up at once.  “Really, ya will?  Mean it?”

     Jak grinned, tossing the book carelessly aside and crawling closer.  What better way to reassure the other of his sincerity than to begin said activity at once?  Truth be told, he had thought about it, too.  Only, his half-baked fantasies had ended quite sadly, with Daxter giving him a smack in the kisser rather than an invitation to settle between his legs.  Real life was much better.

     For a split second, the redhead seemed unwilling to let go of the pillow he was clutching.  Jak pulled at it gently until Daxter appeared to realize that in order for this activity to take place, he was going to have to give his friend a little access.  Almost shyly, he let the green-blonde push the pillow aside.

     Jak was already enjoying himself.  It had been several weeks since they had first agreed to participate in this sort of shared pleasure, and it was very rare for Dax to be even a little bashful about it.  Seeing the redhead flush and wriggle nervously was in itself enough to make Jak want to touch him, even if he hadn’t promised to touch Jak in return. 

     Jerkily, avoiding eye contact again, Daxter grabbed for the ties of his own cream-colored pants.  “Here, just a sec…”

     Jak would have none of it.  Snippily, he swatted the hands away.  No touchy. 

     “Hey, what the heck?  You said ya would!”

     The green-blonde looked up at his friend, gave him a pointed stare.  He was kneeling between the redhead’s spread legs.  He would do as he had promised.  However, he was also going to do it his way.  Dax would just have to cooperate a little bit, here.

     Daxter’s ears fell nervously.  “What’re you gonna do?”

     With a sigh of fond amusement and aggravation, Jak gently tipped the smaller boy backwards.  Dax let out a startled yelp at the unexpected move, but did not try to struggle upright when he found himself flat on his back in the soft bedding.  He looked up at Jak curiously as his leg was patted in reassurance.  Okay, this position sort of made sense.  He wouldn’t complain.

     Satisfied, Jak took hold of the wide belt at Daxter’s waist.  In a moment, the first obstacle was being tugged off and set neatly aside.  Only two layers, gloves, and hand- and foot-wraps to go.  It was almost like unwrapping a birthday present.

     Catching on to what Jak was planning, the redhead began to squirm and whine.  “Aww, c’mon, Jak!  Ya don’t hafta do that!  Just—”

     Jak firmly hushed the protests with a swift press of fingers to babbling lips.  Sure, he could just jerk down his friend’s pants and go to town with no finesse.  But he didn’t want that, not at all.  He wanted them to take their time with this, for once.  They were in the middle of absolute nowhere this time, not slinking around the outskirts of Sandover Village hoping like hell none of the rather rustic inhabitants happened by to crash their little party for two. Here, now, it was impossible for them to be stumbled upon while they did this.  Confidently Jak pulled open the soft red tunic.

     “Jak, wait!”

     Groaning, the green-blonde glanced up again.  Daxter had his arms crossed over his chest, gripping handfuls of fabric to keep Jak from removing the long, sleeveless garment.  What was the matter, then, if he wasn’t worried about being caught in the act?

     The redhead’s ears had slicked back even further.  He looked down at Jak almost beseechingly.  “Do ya… do I really hafta take my clothes off…?”

     Jak’s own ears flew up in comprehension.  So that was the problem! 

     For some reason unknown to Jak, Daxter didn’t like to be seen fully naked.  A little skin shown was okay, as he had recently proved beyond a doubt, but full-body undress was out of his comfort zone.  Almost invariably their mutual groping was performed bare from the waist down as a result, or even just bare between waist and knees, and no more.  The green-blonde had half forgotten about the incident, but…

     Two weeks or so ago he had playfully slipped into the shower behind his friend.  Contrary to what he had hoped for, Daxter had been less than pleased with the maneuver.  It was the first time the redhead had been even a little skittish about their sexual fun, and it had taken Jak getting straight to business with no hint of any unnecessary looking or touching for Dax to cooperate that day. 

     Jak didn’t really get it. He knew Keira fussed about her appearance and figure, and had assumed it was simply a girl thing.  However, he was willing to believe that boys could be concerned about how they looked, too.  Everyone was different.  He just wished Daxter wasn’t so worried about it.  Jak didn’t think he was too skinny, or too pale, or too freckled, or anything.  He liked the redhead just the way he was. 

     For a moment he almost considered telling Daxter as much, but thought better of it.  He would probably sound way stupid if he said something like that right at that moment.  Instead, Jak opted for his customary non-verbal assurances.  Gently forcing the tunic out of his friend’s death grip, he slid it off those narrow shoulders.  This made it much easier to pet a soothing hand down the redhead’s stomach, still covered by the white undershirt.  Dax would soon lose that shyness, Jak was sure, and he was willing to undress the little guy slowly if it would help at all. 

     It didn’t appear to help.  On the contrary.  Dax made an uncomfortable sound and shifted, seeming about to pull away.  That was Jak’s cue to take more drastic measures, which he did without a qualm—running his already drifting hand even further downwards to cup Daxter through his pants.  There was an immediate gasp in response, and the hips that had been shifting away suddenly bucked up into his hand.  Jak smiled, probably somewhat goofily.  It was all in the technique.

     In that way, using the pet-and-reward method, Jak was able to completely undress the other without incident.  He removed fingerless gloves and hand wraps first, taking his time, letting Daxter get comfortable being half dressed.  A few rubs where they were most wanted let Dax know his cooperation was much appreciated.  The shirt came off next.  Jak couldn’t resist rubbing a cheek against the smooth skin of Daxter’s chest as he did so, coaxing unsteady laughter.  He loved how ticklish the redhead was. 

     When he moved down to undo worn foot wraps, the green-blonde delivered a lightning fast tickle to the bottom of his friend’s foot. There was an immediate squeal of outrage, loose strips of fabric flying every which way as their owner struggled.  Jak easily deflected the hard kick aimed at his head, catching hold of Daxter’s ankle before there could be contact.  Mischievously he pulled the offended leg higher and placed a delicate kiss on an equally delicate anklebone, knowing that in just a moment—

     The foot was snatched away as Dax glared, panting slightly.  “Yer such a jerk, Jak.”

     There was almost no shyness now.  They were both rock hard and ready.  Jak nearly knotted the ties of Daxter’s pants as he tried to get them undone as quickly as possible.  The redhead’s squirming and whimpering didn’t help much, either.  Besides those needy little noises effectively shorting out Jak’s brain, the wriggling was making it harder to pick at the tightly tied strings. 

     Daxter’s hands darted down to help, merely knocking into Jak’s own and getting in the way.  “C’mon, pal, hurry up.  Need ‘em off… too tight…”

     Jak groaned in response.  Not only did he know how Dax felt—his own pants felt painfully restrictive at the moment—but that nearly begging tone he had adopted had real potential for driving the green-blonde senseless with want.  And that was a pretty bad thing, considering that Jak had a job of sorts to do before he was going to get any relief himself. 

     Losing the last shred of his patience, Jak gave up and ripped the offending ties.  There was a squawk of indignation from the redhead, but Jak didn’t care.  He would fix them himself, later.  Much later.  Right now all he wanted was…

     Hooking his fingers in the waist of those damnable pants, Jak swiftly pulled them down.  Daxter helped, raising his hips off the blankets and kicking a bit when it became appropriate.  In a blink the final barrier was gone, and Jak was biting the inside of his cheek to hold himself back. 

     He wanted to touch that milky, freckle-smattered skin more than he was sure he had ever wanted anything before.  It almost glowed in the dim blue-green of the eco-light.  He wanted to pet and kiss every inch he could reach.  And for a moment, just a moment, Jak tried to picture Keira laid out before him instead.  He couldn’t.  It was entirely impossible.

     “Ja-aak!”  Daxter seemed disinclined to wait for the green-blonde to gather his wits.  Though obviously still a bit uncomfortable, he nudged Jak’s hip impatiently with one foot before spreading his own legs; a clear suggestion. 

     Jak swallowed, suddenly dry-mouthed.  Dax still seemed almost vulnerable, visibly struggling to refrain from covering himself.  Strange.  Vulnerable was certainly not a word that could be commonly associated with the redheaded terror of Sandover, and yet he very much fit the description now.  Vulnerable, yet defiant…

     “Are we gonna get a move on, here, or are ya just gonna sit there an’ stare at me like a—”

     Not waiting for the colorful insult that was sure to follow, Jak hurriedly leaned forward.  He could take a hint.  However, nothing could stop him from petting and nuzzling his way down that slim form before he got down to business.  Daxter shivered noticeably and didn’t smack him away.  For once, he didn’t seem likely to complain about the inclusion of too much touchy-feely. 

     Finally, tentatively, Jak looked to the task at hand.  Mouth.  Whatever.  Feeling it best to begin with something he already knew how to do, he took the presented erection in hand and began to stroke firmly.  You couldn’t go wrong starting out on the right foot.  Hand.  Whatever.

     The redhead responded accordingly, which was encouraging.  Jak took heart as he watched Dax twist and stretch on the blankets, the flush that stained his face and long ears moving lower.  A little like sunburn.  Jak smiled, moving his hand more gently.  He liked to watch—Dax was just so expressive.

     “Nngh…”  The redhead was already breathing heavily, eyes scrunched shut.  “Jak?  H-hey… are ya gonna…?”

     Snorting softly, the green-blonde bent his head.  He was getting to that part.  And to tell the truth, he didn’t feel so awkward about it anymore.  Sucking a dick couldn’t really be that much worse than licking the final product off his hands, and as he had discovered, that didn’t yuck him out hardly at all.

     When warm, moist breath ghosted over him Daxter absolutely quivered.  His hands and heels dug into the bedding as if he were trying to brace himself for what was to come.  “’Kay, go ahead.  If ya want to.” 

     Nodding, Jak leaned forward again and ran his tongue across the very tip.  Before he could try anything more, though, Daxter struggled almost fully upright to look down at him somewhat guiltily. 

     “Hey, pal…?”  It was almost a whisper, and Jak perked his ears forward to better hear over the bold wind and rain assailing their canvas-walled hideaway.  Dax blushed even brighter when their eyes met.  “You can… y’can stop, if it’s too weird.”

     Jak paused, taken completely aback.  He hadn’t expected to hear that, not at all.  It made him feel warm inside, though.  Like Dax cared about what he thought just as much as he cared about getting off.  Suddenly more than ready for the challenge, Jak sent a cocky grin his best friend’s way before readily cupping that hot length and taking the entire head into his mouth.  He wouldn’t stop if he could help it!

     Daxter flopped backwards again with a gasp, shortly followed by a breathless chuckle.  Jak half expected some witty remark, but apparently the redhead was content, for the moment, to keep all his noises within the moan, whine, and whimper range. 

     Those sounds came thick and fast as Jak quickly discovered the best places to lick, the right pressure to apply when sucking, and how to bob his head.  It was a learning experience any way you looked at it.  It was sloppy, and probably not very good, but at least Dax wasn’t complaining.  In fact, the redhead looked like he was going a bit crazy.  Jak had to hold down slim hips to avoid being choked as Daxter tried to thrust instinctively.  Frustrated by his lack of ability to move, he was grasping at anything he could reach—blankets, pillows, handfuls of Jak’s hair, his own hair—and moaning pitifully. 

     Jak was so hard it literally hurt.  He rubbed his own hips into the bed roll, slightly amazed.  Daxter hadn’t touched him yet.  He hadn’t even touched himself, and his still-trapped arousal threatened rip his pants open if he didn’t grant it some freedom and attention soon.  This was… intense.  And he didn’t want it to end.

     He pulled back without warning, and suddenly released flesh glistened wetly in the lantern light.  His lips tingled, felt swollen.  Absently he gave another lick to the lightly bobbing length in front of him, making it twitch.  That was actually pretty fun and—damn, how he wanted this done to him!

     Daxter’s head jerked up when Jak’s mouth did not immediately return, unfocused eyes landing on the green-blonde between his legs.  The coercing was instantaneous.  “Jak, Jak, c’mon pal, don’t stop, feels great, Jak—!”

     Hearing his name stammered like that made the young adventurer almost giddy.  He wanted to hear more of it.  Gently he blew on wet skin, making Daxter’s muscles clench under his hands and a little “ah!” of surprise escape the redhead’s panting mouth.  Then Daxter froze, staring down at Jak in wide-eyed horror.

     “Yer gonna leave me like this, aren’t ya?!”

     Jak blinked back at him innocently.  No, of course not.  How could Dax possibly think such a thing of him?  He didn’t want to leave the little guy high and dry.  Not at all.  He just wanted to have a little fun with him first.

     The redhead was understandably livid.

     “Jak, you—you total jackass!  Precursors, gotta do everything my freakin’ self—!”   

     Swearing, Daxter reached for his own arousal—only to be grabbed by the wrist and his hand held to the floor beside his hip.  A second hand immediately shot up to smack a certain green-blonde silly but was likewise grabbed and held down, rendered completely harmless with ease. 

     “Jak, lemme go!  Son of a—get off’a me, right now!”  He lifted his upper body off the floor in an attempt to get the leverage to pull his hands free and dive into the brewing fight swinging.

     No dice.  Jak lunged forward as Daxter tried to kick away, effectively pinning the redhead’s legs with his chest and keeping him still with vastly superior body weight.  He wasn’t hurting Dax, he knew—just pissing him off to the point of black eyes if the little guy managed to worm loose before Jak was ready to handle him. Well and truly immobilized, all the smaller boy could do for the moment was scream and curse.  Which he did, to the very best of his ability.  Jak was absently thankful for their lack of proximity to civilization as he continued the pleasurable torment of his best friend.

     Ignoring intense struggles and crass insults carelessly flung at his intelligence, his looks, taste in snacks, overall physical prowess, and ancestry back to the beginning of time, Jak continued with his exploration.  He left tiny love bites across sharp hipbones.  A curious tongue trailed playfully over the seam where thigh and hip met.  Wiry curls tickled his nose as he nuzzled incredibly soft skin.

     It took only a minute or two for Daxter to go quiet.  The screams and insults stopped.  So too did most of the other noises.  The redhead, sensing the futility of wasting his breath, resolutely shut his mouth and appeared determined not to give Jak the satisfaction of making a sound.  Jaw clenched tightly, trapped hands fisted in the rumpled blanket, eyes firmly shut in a futile attempt to block out the world—Jak wasn’t fooled.  His target was harder than ever, angry and red, leaking pre-fluid from the tip.  Bold, Jak licked it off.  Easy. 

     Long minutes it went on.  Jak wasn’t sure how many.  Each time he felt that his friend was in danger of inching too close to the edge he would pull back a bit, wait for the moment to pass.  He was going to get the tar beat out of him for this later, Jak knew, but he didn’t care.  Even his own extreme discomfort could be toughed out a little while longer.  It couldn’t end so soon. 

    “Nnngh…” 

     At last a broken whine, the half-stifled sob that followed it, startled Jak.  He jerked his head up, looking anxiously at Dax.  Had he gone a little too far?  It appeared that maybe he had. 

     Daxter had long since ceased to struggle and now just trembled faintly under him.  Normally pale skin was flushed fantastically and bore a glistening sheen of sweat—they had never done anything half so intense before. Tears of frustration and embarrassment lurked in the corners of bright blue eyes, which steadfastly avoided Jak’s own alarmed ones. 

     “Okay… please.  Friggin’ please, already!”

     The wave of guilt that hit Jak was instantaneous.  This wasn’t supposed to be a power play, a show of brute force.  He hadn’t been trying to make Daxter beg.  Even if it was incredibly hot…  Immediately he released his friend’s wrists, apologetically taking as much of the quivering length he had been teasing into his mouth as he could.  There was only one way to atone for a stupid mistake of that magnitude. 

     The redhead let out a wavering moan, freed hands flying up—not to bloody Jak’s nose, as he had been half afraid they might, but to tangle in golden emerald hair and hold tight for support.  That was fine by Jak.  He let his hands roam, petting soothingly as he sucked and licked, a silent apology.  Suddenly inspired, he slid his arms under Daxter’s thighs, lifting him easily off the blankets to press harder against an obliging mouth.  Dax gave a choked cry and tried to arch upward even further, supported by Jak’s sturdy hold.  That sure grip helped him move, set a rhythm as Jak concentrated on breathing, bobbing his head, and letting his friend thrust at the same time. 

     For a moment Jak was almost shocked.  He could see the two of them clearly in his mind’s eye, moving together, frantic and desperate.  There had to be more to this, didn’t there, than quick release?  He was earnestly hoping so when Daxter came. 

     If he hadn’t known better, he would have thought that the high, keening cry the redhead let out was one of pain instead of blissful release.  Daxter’s hands tightened on his hair and shoulder, and Jak had to fight to keep from jerking back and choking on the rush of liquid heat that abruptly filled his mouth.  He had been expecting it, but still.  As Dax slowly went boneless and his hands released their death grip on him, Jak wiped the corner of his mouth with the edge of the blanket they were sprawled on.  Not strictly a bad taste, but… strong.

     Gradually Daxter came back down to earth from what seemed like an extensive orbit.  His narrow chest ceased to heave as his breathing evened out.  Jak helpfully stroked whatever slowly cooling skin he could reach, chin rested on his friend’s hip.  Dax was calm now, but he could only imagine how dire the imminent consequences of what he had just—

     All at once the redhead sat bolt upright, startling Jak off of his lap.  Almost nervously the green-blonde looked up to meet his buddy’s eyes, ears slicking back contritely in the age old “I-made-a-mistake-and-I-know-it-so-please-forgive-me-anyway” stance.  Um.  Sorry?

     Not a chance.  Daxter’s expression was carefully neutral—all except for his eyes, which were narrowed on Jak like the bigger boy was a misbehaved crocadog pup and the redhead held a rolled up newspaper.

     “You.  Are so gonna get that back, Jak.”

     Jak actually yelped when Daxter dove on him, the redhead’s slight weight suddenly feeling not so slight as it collided with him and tackled him fully to the floor.  Jak didn’t fight—he knew he had it coming, whatever it was Dax had in mind.  He could admit that he was also damn excited.  He had a feeling, as his pants were unceremoniously jerked open and then off, that he was not necessarily going to hate his punishment.

 

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     It was a good half hour later when Jak was at last able to collapse exhaustedly back against the floor of the tent.  Daxter had certainly carried through with his threat of paying the green-blonde back in full.

     Holding himself still for the little guy, not bucking Dax off as he was mercilessly teased in kind, had been something of a Herculean effort.  What felt like every muscle in his body ached from being strung wire-taunt, and his nerves still buzzed from the rush of pleasure.  Holy wow.

     Daxter scrubbing at his face with the back of one hand finally pulled Jak from his semi-daze.  Still sweaty and panting, he nevertheless managed to right himself and crawl the few feet to where his canteen hung on a peg at the back of the tent.  Dax would probably like a drink. 

     “Oh… thanks.” 

     The redhead readily accepted the cool water that was offered, swishing out his mouth before gulping it down.  Jak watched covertly.  Dax hadn’t spit anything out, either.  Interesting…  He also seemed completely over the humiliation Jak had unintentionally put him through.  Nothing to diffuse the righteous anger of a volatile redhead like a sudden mouthful of something new and weird tasting that he didn’t quite seem to know what to do with. 

     What a sight they must have made, Jak thought again as he watched his friend drain the canteen.  Dax was completely naked.  Jak himself was very nearly the same, his sky-blue tunic barely hanging on his shoulders and goggles comically askew being the last clothing he had on.  Both were weak limbed, sweaty, disheveled, hair an unholy mess of tangles.  He chuckled.  So much for modesty, huh, Dax?

     “Huh.  What the heck’s so funny?”  Dropping the empty container, Daxter lay down on his rumpled bed roll.  All traces of his earlier discomfort with being seen undressed did indeed seem long gone.  It was as if he didn’t even realize that their clothes were now scattered around the small tent.

     Jak shook his head and smiled.  While Dax occupied himself pulling a pillow back to where it belonged—under his head—Jak grabbed one of his own blankets.  He was tired, and damp skin in the cool air made him chill.  Shrugging off his open tunic, he scooted over to where Daxter was settling in. 

     The usual exasperated sigh came as his intentions became apparent.  “Jak, what do you think yer doin’?  I already told ya.  This whole ‘snuggle the redhead’ business, it’s just not gonna—”

     Also as usual, Jak ignored him.  If Dax wanted left alone that badly he would have to physically shove the green-blonde out of his sleeping space.  And, as Jak lay down and tugged the thick blanket over the both of them, that seemed less and less likely to happen.  Sure Daxter grumbled a bit at first, but in mere moments he was turning over and wrapping his own thin arms around Jak’s warm body. 

     “Huh.  Cuddling.  Never catch me doin’ somethin’ so sappy, not in a million years.” 

     Jak was surprised and delighted.  His friend was such an incredible brat—just like him to say one thing while purposefully doing just the opposite.  He hugged Daxter’s smaller form close, resting his chin on top of a poof of fiery hair.  He had never been allowed to do this before, at least while the redhead was awake, and it was even better than the stolen embraces he often snuck during the night.  Especially since there was nothing keeping them apart now.  Skin to skin, completely bare, pressed together without a space between them… Jak shivered faintly.  Trust.  A deep connection.  A bond he had with no one else.  His chest fluttered oddly, and he tightened his arms. 

     “Jeez, Jak.  No, I’m not gonna go slinkin’ away on ya.” 

     A smug smile pressed against Jak’s neck, and he smiled in return.  He believed Dax.  He believed that they would stay curled up together until morning, warm and satisfied, listening to the mountain wind and rain pattering against their tent.  Hmm… it was a good thing he had remembered to rub wax on the canvas.  Cold leaks in the dead of night would spoil everything.

     The green-blonde was dozing off, completely content with life in general, when he felt long-fingered hands ghost curiously up his chest underneath the blanket.  Looking down, he met sparkling blue eyes and an almost innocent smile. 

     “So, Jak?  Wanna do that again?”

     Shocked, Jak stared blankly for half a moment before biting off a laugh.  Of course, he then immediately returned the caresses stroke for stroke.  It promised to be a long night and, sleepy as he was sure he had been a second ago, Jak wasn’t going to object.

 

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To be concluded…

 

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(2^nd)AN:  That… took a lot longer than I would have hoped.  But never mind.  It’s the longest chapter yet.  Of course it took more time, huh?  Only one more chapter to go!  Hope to see you around for it :)

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