********************************************************************** Copyright 2000-2003 by the Paratwa Partnership: A Colorado Corporation. All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, except in the case of reviews, without written permission from the Paratwa Partnership, Inc, 354 Plateau Drive, Florissant, CO 80816
This is a fictional story involving alternative sexual relationships. If this type of material offends you, please do not read any further. This material is intended for mature adult audiences. Names, characters, locations and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
********************************************************************** What's New at TomCup.com?
Raptors by Richard Dean Chapter 12: Added 12/18 Age Before Beauty by Tom Cup Chapter 7: Added 12/13 Airport Voyeur Part 2 by Adam Bricker: Chapter 2: Added 12/10* The Innocents: Paulo and Beto by Richard Dean Part 4 Chapter 16: Added 12/9 Lion of Bolognia by Tom Cup: Lion's Heart Chapter 8: Added 12/05* KOABoy by Tom Cup Chapter 10: Added 12/04 Words Are Not Necessary by Adam Bricker Chapter 1: Added 12/03* The Confederados by Richard Dean Chapter 2: Added 12/03* Airport Voyeur Part 2 by Adam Bricker: Chapter 1: Added 11/29* The Confederados by Richard Dean: Chapter 1: Added 11/28* Raptors by Richard Dean Chapter 11: Added 11/22 Calvin: Indentity Crisis by Tom Cup Part 2 Chapter 2: Added 11/20* Airport Voyeur by Adam Bricker: Chapter 6: Added 11/20* The Innocents: Paulo and Beto by Richard Dean Chapter 15: Added 11/14 Age Before Beauty by Tom Cup Chapter 6: Added 11/13 Lion of Bolognia by Tom Cup Chapter 7: Added 11/12*
*TomCup.com now offers an Executive Club membership!
** Tom Cup's "Of Our Teenage Years" is scheduled for publication and release in paperback in the Spring of 2004. Check it out at http://www.tomcup.com!
The Paratwa Partnership, Inc. is a publication and marketing agency and is not responsible for the content of the Tom Cup Library, TomCup.com or its affiliate sites, or stories written by Mr. Cup or his associates.
The Raptors By Richard Dean Chapter 5 Tossing and Turning richard@tomcup.com
"I'll take over the helm now, Arne. You should go to bed. You need your rest. It's a quiet night and I'll handle everything until Ragnar awakens and assumes his command."
"It's been a long day, Torson. I am tired. If you need anything call me. You're a good friend and companion."
As Torson took over the helm, Arne stood up and stretched attempting to get the kinks out of his back and leg muscles. If he were not so depleted and spent, Arne would have preferred to spend his off time sitting by Torson, in soft and beneficial conversation of their past lives and families. He loved to hear Torson recount the trials he had to conquer to finally become an acceptable member of Ragnar's Viking team. Regretfully, Arne, left Torson to his sole duty at the helm and heavily footed strode to the two-man skin and fur covered sleeping bag with which he shared with Torson. He knew once Torson had completed his shift at the rudder and tiller, he would follow Arne and join him in deep sleep. Subconsciously Arne could discern when Torson slipped into their sleeping bag and arranged himself within to enjoy the bodily comfort of warmth and breath of his sleeping partner. During their waking hours they both felt unexplained reasons and doubts about their alliance and well-being as it caused conflicted confusion and bewilderment to the unfailing ease with which either of them enjoyed when together; awake or asleep. Undressing to only his long tailed shirt, he slipped into the cold, damp sleeping bag hoping that his body warmth would soon dry the discomfort away. The last memory he had before his eyes slapped shut was the picture of his friend, ally and companion Torson. Soon he was in a deep sleep. He could no longer hear the murmurs, coughs, snorts or snoring of his shipmates. Arne had entered into the void, dark, empty nothingness of a realm in which he had no knowledge.
He dreamed the dreams of youth, filled with the young hot hopes of adventure, glory and love. Always at his side or within the scenarios that floated within and about him, was Torson. His friend. His ally. His companion. His partner? Doubts, unanswered questions assailed his dreaming. There was no comfort felt in the darkness.
"Odin, my Lord Odin, help me. Assist me. I beg thee, my God, give me audience. I have fear of my feelings. I am lost, confused. I know not where to turn. It is as if Loki, the Trickster, causes me to go mad."
"You, have lost nothing, my lad. You have gained love for a fellow warrior. You do him honor. All man, when distant from their partners of life's choosing, may opt for self-gratification or the help of his fellow man, warrior or merchant to ease the burden that burns within their loins. It is a good thing! Do not flaunt yourself in front of others. You may speak of this with a mentor, a guide, to explain and to assist your questions of self-doubt. Your journey through life may be fraught with danger and possibility of death before your time. Your journey may be blessed with love and happiness. Your sojourn may contain all and more. I will watch over you until the time that I must call you to Valhalla. Honor your fellow warrior and companions. They deserve your respect and knowledge. Love your fellow Vikings equally. Rest now, Arne Björnsson, sleep in comfort and dream your dreams of contentment and safety. This I say to you."
Torson's reverie was broken by the arrival of Ragnar, who stopping by the lee side of the ship, withdrew his penis and heartily enjoyed his morning piss to empty his filled bladder.
"There is no comfort in awakening with my innards filled with piss. The comfort comes from the act of pissing itself. I can think of no better relief except for one other, Torson, do you not agree?"
Understanding Ragnar's moment of question, Torson, replied, "Yes Sir, I fully agree. One is discharged back to the earth, the other, for myself, is discharged to my hand."
Ragnar boisterously laughed aloud, "Very true, my son, very true. Do you often discharge to your hand since we've been on this voyage?"
"Every chance I can, Ragnar, especially in the quiet of the night, so as not to disturb. Arne sleeping next to me does prevent me from doing it as often as I would like, however."
"Why should that stop you? Do you think our lusty Arne doesn't do the same thing as you?"
"I suppose he must, Ragnar, but I've never felt him nor heard him doing it. What can I say? I cannot spy on him during his private moments at the heads. Ragnar?"
"Torson?"
"Why are the toilets called the `heads'?"
"Ahhh, Torson, they are called heads because during my lifetime and the lifetime of my father and his grandfather at the bow of the ship, the narrowest part of a vessel, a board was attached jutting out to either side with a hole cut in them on each side of the hull. A piece of sailcloth was hung around that area while undersail to offer privacy for men who take their shits and pissing. Because it was located at the head of the ship, they've been called the head or heads, depending on how many holes were available to the sailors. Does that explain it to you?"
"Yesss, but we use slop buckets rather than a board with holes for our asses. Why is that?"
"Can you imagine how difficult it would be to mount a board at the angle of our bow without having a shitting man slide off it. It presents too many problems. We use slop buckets instead. Of course, we have to empty them after each use in the ocean rather than shitting directly into the ocean, but it works for our longships. That area will always be known as the `head' no matter if a board or slop bucket is used."
"Thank you for your answer Ragnar. I was hesitant to ask you that question, but am glad that I did."
"I don't want to repeat this one more time, Torson. Have no fear in asking me any question about any topic whatsoever. I am here to be your teacher, leader. I would do a disservice to you if you failed to ask me any question you have about anything, if you feared it would disturb me or embarrass me. Hell, man, I've seen more and learned more from my teachers than I care to think about. Do you understand me clearly, Torson?"
"Yes Sir. I will ask you and I do clearly understand you."
"Good. I relieve you at the helm. Go to bed now. Good night!"
"Good night, Ragnar. Thank you."
"You're welcome, son." Ragnar said, chuckling.
Before entering the sleeping quarters, Torson stopped off at the lee side and pissed overboard. He smiled as he thought of Ragnar's explanation of his question. "The `head' eh? It makes sense."
He looked upon the countenance of the sleeping face of Arne, as he disrobed.
"There before me lies my friend, whom I truly love and admire. Look at him, the peace and contentment on his handsome face, a slight smile as he dreams. What does he dream? Of his past life and the adventures to which he aspires? I'll never know that. I pray I am a part of his dream. I've dreamt of him so many times, I cannot count the number of times. It's good to be next to him, breathe in his breath, feel his heart beating at times, when I'm pressed near enough. I've awakened with my arm covering his chest as I've spooned myself into his back. My prick was turgid and throbbing so violently I feared I might spill my seed upon him. I'm troubled about that. How can this be? I fear he may find out my thoughts of him are of the unpure kind."
Lifting the covering of the bedsack, Torson slipped inside of it and felt the warmth emanating from Arne's body. As he settled himself, he heard Arne sleepily mutter, "Torson" as if in greeting him. Torson smiled in peace and gratification as he recaptured his memory of this strong handsome young man; as he lay next to him in the deep contentment of sleep. It took a matter of minutes before his eyes became heavily lidded and closed them as he advanced into a state of sleep. Torson's dreams were as scattered and confused as he was in wakeful disturbance about his desires for Arne.
"Hear me well, Torson Hemminge. Do not torture yourself about your sexual awakenings of Arne Björnsson. You are a man without a woman. You honor and love your fellow Viking warrior as you do your companions. Man is not meant to be alone without companionship. You have my ear and interest. When called upon, you shall be a worthy credit to those of your world and to those of Valhalla."
Torson's body and mind during his dreams visibly indicated a relaxation of tensions. He slept the sleep of the worn and used. He awakened feeling refreshed and with more vigor than he had felt during the past few days. He looked over to his now awakening companion, who was stretching and moving about while rubbing his eyes to adjust to the light of a bright day.
"I slept well last night", remarked Arne, "did you do as well, Torson?"
"The best I've had for days." Intoned Torson.
"I seem to recall a strange dream I had during the night, but can't remember precisely what it was all about. I seldom remember my dreams, although I know I have them. I dreamt Odin was speaking to me."
"Arne, I had a dream of Odin last night too. What did Odin say to you?"
"He told me to honor my fellow warriors and learn to love them while respecting them. He told me I might find danger and trouble, but would also find love and hope. I can't remember what else he told me, but I know he did."
"I recall much the same except he told me man was not meant to live without companionship and that I lacked having a woman in my life. He also told me he hears me when I worry about my concerns to him."
"What does all of this mean to us, Torson?"
"I can't say really. I believe we should confront Ragnar about these dreams, perhaps he would recognize them of impending signs to our futures and events in our lives. Why would Odin speak to each of us on the same night? What do you think?"
"What would Arne think of me if he were to find out I have bodily urges toward him. Would he be angry? Disappointed? Embarrassed? Would he hate me? Speak to me now, Odin. Would I love him as if he were a woman? Would he love me as if I were a woman? Odin, will I be digging my own grave? I am fearful of this disclosure being known. Protect me and guide me through this, O Odin, my protector. What would Ragnar think of me? Would he think of me as a dog who either licks his own genitals or mates with one of his own gender?"
"Yes, I think you may be right. Ragnar is our mentor, teacher and guide in all of this. He's our stand-in Father to both of us, Torson. I wish my Grandfather were here; for certain he'd know about this."
Send comments to: richard@tomcup.com
To support this and other stories by the author, join at http://www.tomcup.com.
If you like this story, check out Tom Cup's "Calvin: A Coming of Age Story."
Available at Barnes and Nobles Bookstores, Amazon.com, your local independent bookseller, or from Tom Cup.com.
Tom Cup's "Of Our Teenage Years" is scheduled for publication and release in paperback in the Spring of 2004. Check it out at http://www.tomcup.com!