A Trial of Strength

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 551 by Rob Williams

Chapter 551 – "HEROES – MORE PLEASURE THAN PAIN"

IN THIS CHAPTER

Young Will is threatened by a gang. Boss Randy rescues the plucky redhead from the thugs, but gets beaten. His lover Bob wakes Randy from a deep concussion with an erotic sex act. Traumatized Will seeks help from his stepdad Seth, and the rugged musclehunk helps his kid confront his fears by showing him that even being at the mercy of a roughneck laborer is more pleasure than pain. _________________________________________________________________________

<><> IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER <><>

The big weekend gathering of the tribe was over and, once again, the Grady House had worked it's magic. Several of the couples present had overcome relationship troubles and reaffirmed their love, more profoundly than ever.

The hosts – movie-star Grady and his Italian lover Mario – had congratulated themselves on creating this mellow, healing atmosphere, with the help of their boys, young Brian and the house manager Danny.

So now Grady indulged his insatiable appetite for gossip. He said conspiratorially to Brian, "We gotta dish, kiddo. I've been away from the action for so long that I've missed all the gossip and I need an update on what's been going on. What's the scoop, kiddo? What gives?"

"Well, sir," Brian said, blinking rapidly behind his owl glasses, "there does seem to be something brewing that could blow up. You know how Mark is in charge of security here and at the construction sites – him being a cop and all. I suggest you ask him about that."

At dinner Grady did just that and Mark elaborated. "The Grady House security is watertight, Grady but I wish I could say the same for the construction sites. A lot of other firms have been plagued with robberies lately – pilfering of tools and equipment. Seems that a small group is responsible and I figure we might be next on their list. I've hired a nighttime security guard for each of the three sites, but Randy figures that no one would risk a daytime robbery."

And Grady had to be content with that, though as he said later to Brian, "You were right kid. That's something that could blow up – especially with hothead Randy in charge. If he came across this gang I wouldn't give much for their chances.

In fact, things came to a head on that subject much sooner than Mark or anyone else expected. And Grady's usually light-hearted gossip turned to something much more serious.

Next day Randy's lover Bob, co-leader of the tribe came to the house for a financial meeting and stayed for lunch with Grady and Mario, and Randy's brother Steve and his lover Lloyd. Conversation was amiably low-key ... until Bob's cellphone rang. "It's Darius," Bob said looking at the screen. Sorry about this, guys. Let's see what he wants." He put it on speaker.

Darius's normally calm, good-natured voice was now clearly distressed. "Bob, I'm at the site and I think you should get here, it's kinda serious. When Will came with the crew's lunches he used the back gate and stumbled across three guys stealing stuff. They tried to shut him up but he naturally yelled for Randy, who came out and, of course, there was a huge fight."

Trying to stay calm Bob asked, "Is anyone hurt, Darius?"

"Will wasn't hurt – a few bruises is all, and he's real shook up. But Randy's in bad shape. He had taken on all three, they were real tough, and when I came out he'd busted up two of them, but he was on the ground and the third guy was beating him bad with a tire iron. Will was clobbering the thug with a plank and I finished him off.

"The upshot is that Randy's pretty banged up. I called Mark and he's on his way with backup. I called Doc Chad too and he's coming. He's arranging an ambulance to take Randy to his hospital." Darius's voice cracked. "But, sir, I really need you here too. I'm not sure if I can ..."

"I'm on my way, Darius. Take a deep breath and try to hold it together till I get there. Fifteen minutes tops."

"I'll come with you," Steve said. "You shouldn't be alone – and Randy's my brother."

"Sorry, guys ..." Bob said to the group as he got to his feet.

"Go, go," Mario said. "If we can help, just call. And good luck, Bob."

Bob and Steve ran to Bob's car and they sped away. There were dazed looks around the table and Grady said to a shaken Brian, "Damn, who'd a thought it would play out like this, eh kiddo? This ain't idle gossip anymore. This is serious."

========= CHAPTER 551 =========

<><> HEROES <><>

With Darius's barely-controlled panic still ringing in his ear, Bob was tense with anxiety as his Mercedes broke all the speed limits on the drive to the construction site. He murmured to Steve sitting next to him, "Darius said Randy is in bad shape' and pretty banged up'. What d'you think that means, Steve?"

"We won't know until we get there, buddy, so don't go projecting the worst-case scenario – what we shrinks call `catastrophic thinking'." Doc Steve was a psychologist, used to calming down panicky patients, and he spoke with calm reassurance as they screeched round a corner. Best concentrate on your driving, dude, or you'll kill us both and we won't be much use to anyone."

Despite his tension Bob smiled weakly and slowed down a little. "I'm glad you're here, Steve. If I get hysterical slap my face like they do in the movies."

"It'll be a pleasure, dude."

So Bob was calmer when they reached the construction site, where at first it seemed like business as usual – until they drove round the back. Darius, shirtless as usual in black jeans and boots, came up to the car as they got out. "I'm sure glad to see you, sirs. I'll fill you in real quick. Randy's sitting on the ground over there with his back to the wall, conscious but groggy. Doc Chad just got here and he's checking him out for injuries and stuff.

Will's over by his truck – real shook up but I don't think he's injured. The three thugs are over there on the ground. Randy beat two of them bad and I finished off the other one. I guess they were cowed by this big black buck standing over them, `cos there was no fight left in them when I tied them up. Mark should be here any minute to deal with them.

"Thanks, Darius. You've been great, solid as a rock."

Darius grinned. "Feel more like sludge inside, sir, the way my stomach's churning."

Bob made straight for Randy who looked up, his face bruised, blood at the corner of his mouth. "Hey buddy," he said, slurring his words a bit. "Help me up, will ya? I gotta get back to work."

"You are not going anywhere Randy," Chad said firmly, "till I've done a preliminary check." Chad had just come out of surgery at his hospital and was still wearing his dark green scrubs – V-neck shirt and pants. "Hi, Bob, maybe you can make this guy see sense."

Bob dropped to his knees beside Randy and touched his face. "Another fight, eh, big guy? But listen to me. Everything's under control. It all looked normal when we passed the gate – crew all still at work, and Darius can take care of them. Mark's on his way to take charge of those three guys and Steve's here too, calming Will down. So what you have to do is stay right here and let Chad make sure there are no bones broken. Will you do that for me? Please?"

Randy looked up at the brown eyes he loved so much, and growled, "Fuck you, man."

Bob smiled and nodded at Chad. Those were the words Randy always used when giving in to Bob. "So, doc," Bob asked, "what's the diagnosis?"

"Well, of course I have to do a complete exam but, apart from cuts and bruises, the only fracture seems to be of the right forearm. Seems Randy made a defensive move to shield his face and the forearm got hit by a tire iron. It'll most likely need surgery and reset.

"I'm most concerned about the mental stress. A normal man would be unconscious now, the body's natural, beneficial reaction to physical trauma. But, as you know, Randy's not a normal man and won't even relax. As you heard, he wants to go on working , which is out of the question. There's a real chance of delayed shock, which is why I've called for an ambulance to take him to my hospital."

"I ain't going to no goddam hospital," Randy growled. "I ain't finished with those three goons yet. They were beating up my kid."

Chad raised his eyebrows at Bob and shrugged. Bob said, "Talking of Will, Randy, I gotta go and make sure he's OK. But I can only do that if you promise to stay here and do what Chad says. OK?"

"Yeah, OK. Take good care of the kid, dude. He was awesome, real gutsy – saved me from a worse beating."

"Good. OK Chad he's all yours." Bob went over to where Steve was talking to Will who was leaning against his truck that contained the crew's lunches. The boy was wearing his standard dark green apron and chef's hat, but the hat was wedged on his head at a cockeyed angle and his glasses were askew.

Bob opened his arms and pulled Will into a warm hug. His body was still shivering and he uttered a single sob. "Randy tells me you were very brave Will – you saved him."

"Well, I had to, sir – that last guy was beating him with a tire iron."

"Will, Mark will be here in a minute and he'll want to question you about everything that happened out here. Are you up to that?"

"Of course, sir. The cops should lock those guys up and throw away the key."

"I'm sure they will, kiddo. Well," Bob smiled, "maybe not throw away the key, they don't go in for that these days." That brought a smile to Will's freckled face, as they heard Mark's motorbike pull up. He strode up to them and was all business. "OK, Darius, what have we got?"

Darius gave him a rundown of how things stood, then the cop went over to the dazed thugs and cuffed their wrists behind their backs. "I've got backup coming for you three." He had a quick word with Chad and Randy then came back to Will, who said, "Sir, I'm ready to tell you what happened."

Mark smiled. "I see that you are, Will. Here, make yourself comfortable ..." he opened the door of Will's truck and made him perch sideways on the driver seat, feet on the ground. As Bob and Steve listened, Mark said, "OK, kid, take your time – in your own words."

"Well, sir, I came here at noon to deliver the lunches to the crew guys as I always do. I always use the back gate `cos I don't wanna get in the way of the traffic through the main gate. Usually there's no one else here, but today I saw this truck I didn't recognize. Then I saw three guys coming out of the gate carrying rebars, wood and tools and stuff.

"Like an idiot I yelled out something like, hey what d'you think you're doing?' They turned on me and threatened to work me over if I didn't keep my mouth shut. One of them grabbed me from behind and another started slapping my face. I panicked and yelled real loud for Randy. Just in time he came rushing out and roared, `Let go of my boy!'

"They let me go and turned on him and of course there was a huge fight. Randy was wild, sir, he took on all three of them – you know, punching, kicking, until one of them went down. Randy was going crazy with the other two, pounding them, kicking them in the balls, just destroying them, sir. In the end they were sprawled in the dirt barely conscious, but by then the first guy had recovered.

"While Randy was finishing off the other two, this guy jumped up, grabbed this big old tire iron from his truck and hit Randy from behind. It missed his head but struck his back and he went staggering forward. He turned and took a few blows to the chest, then raised an arm to fend off the next blow to his head, but the tire iron caught his arm. Randy howled and went down, and I knew I had to do something.

"There was a big ol' plank leaning against the fence, so I grabbed it and hit the guy from behind. He was taken by surprise and turned to face me but I kept bashing away at him. I was sure I was a goner, when all of a sudden Darius came roaring out in the nick of time."

Darius took over the story. "You should have seen him, sir – Eddie should a' been here with his camera – the gutsy young redhead, still in his apron and chef's hat, flailing away with the plank, keeping the guy away from Randy. He saved Randy from a beating with that tire iron. As I came out, Will took a swipe at the tire iron that made the guy drop it and I knew I had him.

"It didn't take me long to finish him off and he slumped down on top of his buddies. We made a great team, eh, WilI? I grabbed a rope and tied them up before they came to enough to fight back. I checked Will out, then called you, sir, then Doc Chad and then Bob. The rest you know, sir."

Mark looked at Bob and Steve and shook his head. "These boys have a shit load of guts, Bob. You should be proud of them. OK, I'll take care of those goons. They're probably the thieves we've been looking for. I've already called for backup, and a squad car will haul them away.

"Meanwhile, Bob, you should check on Randy and the doc. And Darius, you should get back on the site and make sure work continues as usual. A crowd out here is the last thing we want. Steve, perhaps you could take care of Will here. Seems he's a young hero."

Steve said gently, "Will, you need to rest. I'll take you home and put you to bed."

"No, sir." Will protested. "I came here to give the guys their lunches and that's what I'm gonna do." He stood up, straightened his chef's hat defiantly and started to unload the packed lunches from the back of his truck. Will you give me a hand, Darius?"

"Aye-aye, sir," Darius grinned with a salute. They carried their load through to the site and Darius sounded the whistle for the lunch break.

But as they left, Randy finally lurched to his feet, defying the protests of Chad and Bob. I gotta get back to work too," he groaned. He staggered a few steps forward, then fell to his knees and braced himself on all fours. But his wounded arm collapsed and he rolled on his back unconscious.

Bob gasped but Chad said. "It's what I was hoping for, a loss of consciousness. It's the rest his body needs, now I can treat him properly."

Just then the emergency vehicles started to arrive. There were two police squad cars and Mark went to meet them. Paramedics brought a stretcher from the ambulance and eased Randy onto it, with Bob looking on tensely.

Chad said. "Bob, I'll go with him in the ambulance with the paramedic. Follow us in your car, go to the hospital waiting room and I'll come and see you right after I've examined him. Don't worry. A concussion is quite normal, but he's as tough as an ox and he'll pull through. We'll take good care of him and you can see him real soon."

The stretcher was carried into the ambulance, Chad followed and the doors closed. As the ambulance left, wailing, Steve put his arm round the shaken Bob's shoulder. "Steve," Bob said, "would you do me a favor, stick around here and keep an eye on Will, then go back with him and break the news to the rest of the guys, starting with the twins? I know they'll be worried."

"Sure Bob. Take it easy, drive carefully and call me as soon as you know anything."

Bob drove off, then the squad cars left with the thieves and Mark followed them, lights flashing, sirens blaring. Suddenly there was silence and Steve walked round to the main gate and looked in at the construction site. He saw Darius and Will distributing the lunches to the hungry crew, like it was a normal day – just as if nothing had happened.

Steve shook his head and sighed. "These guys are something else," he grinned.

<><> THE BEST MEDICINE <><>

When Bob walked into the hospital a nurse met him and smiled. "Hello, sir, I recognized you ... you're hard to miss. The doctor told me to take you to the waiting room. He's still with your friend and I'll let him know you're here. Shouldn't be long."

The wait was only ten minutes but it seemed like an hour to Bob who tried to avoid the `catastrophic thinking' Steve had mentioned. But still, worst-case scenarios kept plaguing his thoughts. He sprang to his feet and was reassured by Chad's smile.

"OK, Bob, here's the deal. Randy did take quite a beating and his concussion has slipped into a mild coma." Bob winced. "No, no, don't be alarmed. A slight coma is beneficial at this point, it'll help his body and mind heal, so long as the coma stays mild and doesn't progress into a later stage. I think that's unlikely here, and I believe your presence might help.

"There's a school of thought that coma patients are still aware of sounds, like a human voice, so I suggest you sit with him and talk. We need some stimulus to bring him back to consciousness naturally, and your voice might do the trick. We will of course monitor him – vital signs and so on – but your being alone with him is probably the best medicine."

Bob smiled. "I know what you're talking about, Chad. I don't know if you ever heard the story of the day Randy and I were on a motorcycle run and some biker thugs ran me off the road. I crashed, hit my head and ended up in hospital in a deep coma. The docs had almost given up on me, but not Randy. He stayed with me night and day, talking to me about our lives together and his love. He eventually provided that stimulus by ... well, better not go into detail on that."

Chad grinned, "I don't think I want to know, Bob. But as we always say – whatever works."

Chad led Bob into Randy's room and Bob had to steel himself against the sight of the man he loved – a dominant man so full of energy and life – lying still and silent with his eyes closed. Bob sat in a chair by the bed and looked up at Chad. "OK, doc, I'll take care of him."

Chad smiled. "I knew you would, Bob. Like I said, the best medicine of all. At the slightest sign of a problem, here's the call button and we'll come right away. Don't worry dude – with you here nothing bad is gonna happen to the big ol' warrior." Chad left the room and closed the door silently behind him.

Bob stroked Randy's face lightly and said, "You know what, buddy? Those bruises on your face make you look sexier than ever, and you know how I always get a hardon just looking at you. But this feels kinda right – you and me alone together. In a way, that's what our lives have always been, you and me together, taking care of each other."

Bob kept talking. "Oh sure, there's all our buddies in the tribe, and we love them all, men and boys. But it always comes down to you and me. Like we started out, in that scruffy old motel room so long ago – Room 14. Boy, you were a real savage in those days, but after I left the motel I was restless and found myself coming back there – I couldn't stay away.

"I remember looking through the window of Room 14 and seeing you lying on the bed, staring into space. When I knocked at the door you yanked it open and I thought for a minute you were gonna slug me. But I'll never forget the look on your face as you said, "Come in." And that was it. Those two simple words started it all. And through thick and thin we never looked back.

"It took a long while, though, before we made love. We didn't even know what it was back then – love between men. But gradually, week after week, we found out, and it grew deeper and deeper. Do you remember the time ...?

And so Bob talked ... and talked ... And as he looked down at the dark gypsy face and saw his chest rise and fall steadily under the covers, he felt closer to his lover than ever. All he had to do was keep talking ... for as long as it took.

<><> THE SLEEPING PRINCE <><>

Bob lost track of time. This room became his whole world, just as Randy was his whole world. Periodically a nurse would come in to check Randy's vital signs and change the bag on his saline IV drip, and once they brought in a snack and coffee for Bob, which remained untouched.

If this is what it took to bring Randy back to him, Bob was prepared to talk all night and all the next day. So he went through many of the events of their lives, the dramas, the loves and losses, laughter and tears.

"Of course," he said, "we've been here before buddy, except the roles were reversed. It was me in bed in a coma after that motorbike crash, and you sitting here talking, pleading with me to come back to you `cos you couldn't get through life without me. Well back at ya, dude. I can't imagine a life without you Randy, even though you make me mad as hell sometimes, until you kiss me and I love you more than ever.

"You remember how back then you did bring me back to you? The docs had told you I needed some kind of stimulus, so you used your strongest weapon, the one everyone submits to ... your magnetic sex appeal. I must have heard you in my coma `cos you started to talk dirty, and after so many hours of immobility, one part of me stirred – my cock.

"That's when you knew you had beaten my coma, same as you beat every other enemy in your path. You wrapped your big fist round my cock and slowly jerked me off. How could I stay in a coma after that, eh? I opened my eyes and there you were. We were back where we belonged – together."

"So now I gotta return the favor and stimulate you, dude. I can't talk dirty the same as you do, but I can talk sex – especially sex with you."

Carefully Bob groped under the bedcovers for Randy's huge beer-can thick rod. He folded his hand round it and said, "This is the cock that I feel in my ass so often. I never know whether you're going to ram it in like a jackhammer or make gentle love to my ass, but either way it sends me through the roof.

"Then you look at me with those piercing blue eyes and I know I'm trapped. I belong to you, Randy – totally. I live to please you, like when you lie on the bed and watch me get naked for you. You like it when I'm dressed as a business executive and you order me to strip, like you once did in that motel. You order me to take off the jacket, then the tie and slowly unbutton my white shirt. I shrug it off me and stand before you, a bare-chested muscular executive in smart slacks, elegant brown belt, and loafers.

"You order me to drop the pants and shorts, and I watch you salivate as you look up at me butt-naked. You leap off the bed, hurl me down on it on my back and yank out your hard dick. I pull my legs back and you look at my ass – and you know it belongs to you. You lean forward, pin my arms to the bed and ram your dick in my ass – the King of the Gypsies ploughing the helpless executive's ass. You know how that feels, dude ... you can feel it now can't you?"

Bob felt Randy's dick stir in his hand. "That's it, man. You're as much a slave to my ass as I am to your dick. And you pound it harder and harder until I can't take any more and my cock blasts a load of jizz in the air."

As Bob's voice grew more urgent he felt Randy's cock get harder. "And then I beg you to cum inside me, I'm desperate for you to cum, Randy, and I beg. "Please, sir, please cum for me. I need it so bad, I'll do anything. Tell me what to do, sir."

"Suck it." At first Bob thought he had imagined the low guttural sound, and when he looked up Randy's eyes were still closed, he was not moving – except for the lips as he growled again ... "Suck it."

It was like those two words Randy had said at the motel door – "come in." They changed everything, as these words did now. Bob pulled down the sheets and stared at Randy's almost-hard dick. He fell on his knees by the bed and clamped his mouth over the massive shaft. He heard a low groan and felt Randy stir.

Bob sucked the stiffening dick as never before, knowing it was bringing Randy back to life. He swallowed it down his throat, pulled back, his lips pursed tight round the shaft, then plunged down on it again, taking it deeper and deeper each time. Randy groaned louder now and half-opened his eyes to see his lovers handsome face pounding up and down on his dick.

The bruised and battered construction boss, emerging from a coma, was already giving orders. "Suck it man ... choke on it ... aaahh." The long low sigh preceded a stream of hot sperm that Bob gulped down – without choking – as if it were the balm of life. Which in a way it was.

When he pulled away he kissed Randy who stirred and at last fully opened his eyes. Bob said, "Hey, Randy, you're back. It's like the fairytale in reverse – I feel like I've just woken the handsome prince with a kiss."

Randy croaked, "Yeah, but Snow White you ain't, dude, far from it."

"OK, I'm the prince who woke the King of the Gypsies." But Randy had closed his eyes again with a faint smile on his lips.

<><> "FUCK YOU, DOC" <><>

Bob pressed the call button and Chad came in. "He woke up, Chad – we did it."

Chad shone a small flashlight in Randy's eyes, then pinched him and he groaned. "Yup, he's back. How did you do it, Bob?" Bob hesitated and actually blushed. "OK, I won't ask," Chad grinned. But he smiled as he saw what looked like flecks of dried semen on Bob's chin. "I'll need to keep him here for a couple of days observation."

"Like hell you will," Randy growled softly. "I gotta get outa here." He opened his eyes and made a feeble attempt to pull himself up, but winced when he felt the pain in his arm and fell back on the pillow. "I gotta go back to work – the guys need me."

"No way that's gonna happen, Randy," the doc insisted. "When you're feeling stronger I'll prep you for surgery and work on that fractured arm. After that, you'll rest here under observation for a day or two till I decide you can be discharged."

Bob said, "Would it help if I spent the night in here, Chad? I was going to ask you if I could."

"Hm, bit unusual." The doc frowned. "But if that's what it takes to keep him from bolting ... sure, I guess we could bring a cot in here for you. Definitely not both in the same bed, though. The time for stimulus is over, he mustn't get the kind of excitement you would rouse, Bob. Once is enough eh?" Chad grinned.

"And don't forget, Randy, when a psychotic patient gets aggressive we are allowed to tie his hands to the bed – and I don't mean that in a good way – not what you're thinking."

Randy growled, "Fuck you, doc," and Chad nodded to Bob with a smile. "Right, Bob, I'd like you to wait outside for a few minutes while the nurses clean him up, turn him over to prevent bedsores, and check on his IV. I'll have them bring in a cot for you too."

Bob stroked Randy's face, got a weak grin from him, and left the room. There was a small waiting room close-by where Chad joined him.

"OK, you're not to worry, Bob, he's gonna be fine. Like I said, he's strong as an ox. Trouble with guys like that is they're usually headstrong ... hell, I don't need to tell you that, buddy ... and the danger is they try too much too fast. We see that all the time. He needs rest, plenty of it. And when he gets home his forearm will most likely be in a cast – which I don't want him to use as a weapon.

"Worst part is his wounded macho pride. He's probably gonna be feeling bitter that the guys saw him get beat in a fight. Of course that's bullshit – it was three against one – and he would have won except for the tire iron. It seems he was saved from a worse beating by that plucky kid Will. Don't know how he'll react to that."

"Oh, I'll take care of all that, doc. Appearances to the contrary I do have some influence over him. I can be the dominant partner when I need to be."

Chad chuckled. "I don't doubt that for a minute, Bob. I've seen how he submits to you with his growling `fuck you asshole'. I got that from him just now, I'm happy to say. OK, the nurses will let you back in shortly.

"Great, `cos in the meantime I got a lot of phone-calls to make. Chad, I have to thank you for the way you've handled all this. You know Randy and how to talk to him. A lesser doctor would have lost patience with him."

"Dude, you don't have to thank me – we're family. Of course I'm gonna take care of him ... and you too buddy ... `cos I love you, you know that." Their eyes held steady for long seconds, then Chad kissed him on the cheek and left. Bob sighed and pulled out his phone.

<><> RELUCTANT HERO <><>

Of course, even without Bob's phone calls, news of the drama sped over the grapevine. All it took was a phone call from Darius to motormouth Eddie and everyone else knew within minutes. Darius also called his man Zack, one of the other site managers, and he came right over to help his boy keep everything running.

When Will had finished distributing the lunches he called his stepdad Seth who managed the third construction site. Will didn't want Seth to hear the news from anyone else, so he told him calmly and insisted that he was just fine and continuing to work. "Doc Steve is here, sir, and I'm gonna give him a ride back to the house.

"Well, if you're sure you're OK, kid. I'll try to get home early and maybe we can spend the night together."

"I would like that, sir." The sentiment was calmly spoken but heartfelt. Although he would never admit it, Will had been badly shaken by the attack and his narrow escape from disaster, and what he wanted now was a pair of strong reassuring arms round him – especially his step-dad's.

Bob's first phone call was to his boys, the twins Kyle and Kevin. He explained the situation and asked them to spread the word at the compound and keep everyone calm. He knew that in stressful moments like this he could depend on the twins to take charge with assurance. They were his boys, after all, and copied him in everything.

The best news was that Rady had woken up from his coma, and the twins hastened to spread the word by calling a meeting of everyone currently in the compound – the office staff, Brandon, Ryan, Vic and Noah – the house managers, Finn and Tyler – and of course the senior boys Eddie and Jamie. Jamie had already received a call from his man, Mark, so he got the story from the cop's point of view.

They all met out on the lawn and Kyle said, "Guys, by now you've heard there was a problem out at the construction site when that gang of robbers tried to rip us off. Bob called us and told us to stress first off that everyone is OK and we're not to worry." Kyle went over the events, and emphasized the heroic part Will had played.

Kevin took up the story. "Will is fine and will be back here soon with Doc Steve. Randy got busted up a bit and Doctor Chad took him to his hospital. He went into a mild coma but Bob stayed with him and talked to him and, somehow," Kevin smiled, "stimulated him out of the coma. Chad will perform surgery on his injured arm and Bob is spending the night with him.

He turned the floor over to Jamie who said, "Mark told me that the cops have arrested the three thugs they'd been searching for. He also said that there were a lot of heroes out there – first, Randy who confronted the three goons when they attacked Will. He destroyed two of them but the third attacked with a tire iron.

"That's where Will sailed in and whacked the guy again and again with a plank, holding him off until Darius arrived and finished him off. Mark said Will saved Randy from getting beat real bad, and Darius was terrific, tying them up and alerting Mark and Doc Chad. The cops are real grateful to Randy and his guys for capturing the gang responsible for so many robberies.

Kyle concluded, "Bob wants everyone to carry on working as usual and he'll see us tomorrow. Kevin and I think we should be ready to give the guys the hero's welcome they deserve. Any questions, guys?"

Of course there were many, especially from Eddie who always wanted every detail. "Dude, you said that Bob `stimulated' Randy out of the coma. How did he do that exactly?"

Kyle spoke carefully, "Eddie, I think that's something private between Bob and Randy. They were alone in his hospital room, so best to leave it to your active imagination."

There were smiles all round and the momentary comic relief helped ease the tension. The meeting was about to disburse when they heard a truck pull up at the gate. Steve walked in through the gate, followed by Will, still maintaining the posture of work as usual in his apron and chef's hat and carrying a big box with all the empty lunch containers from yesterday.

He was startled to hear a burst of cheers and applause from the group, and the twins ran forward to take the boxes. He turned appealingly to Steve. "Sir, I don't think I can handle this. It only reminds me of ..." He trailed off and tears came to his eyes.

Steve smiled warmly. "Will, you're a hero to these guys, deservedly so, and they are thanking you for saving the man they all love – Randy. All you have to do is smile, wave a bit, then do what you would normally do – go back to the kitchen with the twins."

The boys crowded round and Steve shielded him. "Thanks guys, but Will's had a bit of a shock and just wants to get back to the kitchen. I'll stay here with you and answer all your questions." The doc's authoritative voice made them stand back respectfully, and Will kept up his smile as he walked through them and back to the kitchen.

Steve had a quick, quiet word with the twins before they followed him. "He's fine physically, guys, but he's still shaken and I'm afraid of some post-trauma delayed shock. He should really rest, but he says he wants to work, and that might be the best remedy right now as a distraction. But keep a careful eye on him and be sure to call me if there's a problem. I'll be right here."

<><> A BRAVE FACE <><>

When the twins walked into the kitchen they opened their arms and Will fell into them in a three-way hug. At last he gave way to his pent-up distress and sobbed quietly into their shoulders.

The twins gave their boy time to let out all his tension, and when he had stopped trembling Kevin said, "Will, we're so proud of you, but you must be exhausted. Would you like to go upstairs and rest for a while? We can handle the dinners."

"No, sir," he said with some alarm. "I don't want to be alone, I would just go on thinking and thinking about ... I want to work."

"OK. So we had just cleared away lunch and were about to start the prep for dinner. The menu's on the board and it'll be the usual division of tasks."

They got to work and the twins kept a careful eye on the freckle-faced young redhead who had a determined set to his jaw as he focused on his work at the counter. But he wasn't their usual Will – the super-efficient, easy-going boy who chatted amiably as he moved effortlessly around the kitchen. Now he seemed distracted, disoriented – in a sort of daze.

The twins felt he would be much better off resting upstairs, but on the other hand Steve had said work was probably best for him. so they subtlely guided him when he lost his concentration and they kept up a stream of light gossip that they hoped would be comforting background noise.

But it didn't do much good as Will seemed to be sinking into a deeper melancholy even as he worked. The twins exchanged troubled looks and were about to seek advice from Doc Steve when suddenly they were saved by the sound of a truck screeching to a halt outside. To their relief they saw Seth striding toward the house.

Coming straight from work he looked formidable as ever – a tall, wild-looking roughneck with shaggy black hair, rugged features with a heavily stubbled square jaw. His work gear were dirt-streaked cargo pants and boots, and a ragged old T-shirt that clung to his muscled torso.

Will seemed not to have heard the sound as he stared morosely at the counter, mechanically chopping vegetables, but when the kitchen door flew open he turned round, dropped his knife and ran straight into his step-dad's arms. Seth held him tight and looked over Will's shoulder at the twins who smiled and nodded encouragingly.

"Hey kiddo. I took off early `cos I was worried about you. You doing OK?"

"Yes, thank you, sir ..." His face crumpled. "I mean, not really, sir. I'm kinda ... like I ..."

"Hey, how about I take you to my little house next door and we veg out there for a while – just the two of us?"

Will looked desperately at the twins who smiled reassuringly. Kyle said, "Will, that sounds like an excellent idea. Tell you what – take the rest of the day off and go take care of your dad, cook dinner for him. He looks beat, he could do with a little tender loving care from his boy."

Kyle had framed it as Seth's need and Will's role to care of his dad, the reverse of the truth, of course, and Will brightened right away. "Thank you, sirs. If you're sure you can manage here I'll just go upstairs and change my clothes and I'll take a few things from here for our dinner."

He ran out of the kitchen and Seth looked anxiously at the twins. Kevin said, "He's trying to put a good face on it Seth, but he had a real bad scare. First he was threatened by the thugs until Randy rescued him, then it was his turn to rescue Randy and he bashed away at his attacker with a two-by-four and was saved in the nick of time by Darius – but it was touch and go.

"You know Will, he's bottling it all up, trying to be brave, but he keeps flashing back to the trauma, and what he needs right now is for someone strong to make him feel safe. Everyone's calling him a hero but he doesn't care about that. What he needs now is you, Seth."

"Don't worry, guys, I'll take care of him ... if you can spare him for the rest of the day – and night."

Will rushed back in, wearing cargo shorts and a polo shirt – the one Seth always said looked sexy on him – and he pulled a few things from the fridge and stuffed them in a bag. "You ready, dude?" Seth grinned. "Let's go."

Will hugged each of the twins in turn – "thanks for everything, sirs" – and left, with his dad's muscular arm over his shoulder. The twins shared smiles of relief, and went back to work.

<><> SETH TAKES CHARGE <><>

In Seth's small house, right next door to the compound, Will put the food he had brought into the fridge, and Seth asked, "Beer of wine, Will?" The boy chose wine and in a few minutes father and son sat next to each other on the living room couch. Seth took a long swig of beer while Will poured the wine.

Seth smiled, "Feeling better kiddo?"

"A lot better, sir, now I'm with you."

Seth hesitated. "So, how are we gonna deal with this, Will? I'm not good at this stuff – I'm not refined and sophisticated like Steve, or Bob, or Mario. I'm just a rough-and-ready construction worker, good with my hands is all – good with my fists too when I have to be." Seeing Will flinch he added quickly, "Jeez, there I go, putting my foot in it already. You don't need to be reminded of stuff like that. Or do you, kiddo? Maybe that is what you need."

For a self-proclaimed wildman Seth could be more canny than he thought. He had instinctively put his finger on just where to begin, as Will quickly recognized. "Maybe you're right sir. I've been trying to put the fight and the danger out of my mind but it don't work. Maybe I need to confront it."

"Maybe so, kid. They always say to face your fears. Maybe doing that you'll be able to tell your demons to get the fuck out of your head. Do you wanna describe what happened?"

"I'd like to give it a try, sir. Just being with you gives me confidence, makes me feel safe. OK, so here goes."

Seth listened without interruption as Will told his story, hesitantly at first but gaining confidence as he went along. As he heard the details of the fight Seth realized just how gutsy his boy had been, facing up to the gang, then bashing one guy to stop him from wasting Randy.

When he stopped Seth growled, "I wish I'd been there. Trouble is I would a' killed them and I'd be in jail now instead of them. But listen to yourself, Will. Now do you understand why all the guys are cheering you as a hero? I'm so damn proud of you, kid."

"Well, sir. It's all right talking to you, but later when the memory comes back I ... see, I think every time I see a rough, tough guy like those thieves I'm gonna flash back and get scared again, no matter who it is."

"Even me?"

"Excuse me, sir?"

"Well I'm about as rough and rugged as they come. They call me a wild man and I can fly into a rage and start slugging just like Randy does. That's enough to scare any kid. I didn't wanna bring this up Will, but remember how rough I was on you back in the bad old days – slapped you around and punished you `cos what I really wanted was to fuck your ass?"

Seth saw a grimace of fear pass over the freckled face – just the effect he was going for. "So I have a lot in common with those tough guys, and maybe I can help you confront your fears of guys like me. Most of us are not thugs, just regular guys who wanna love you, not hurt you."

"You mean, like ... like make me get over the dread that every big powerful tough guy is out to hurt me?"

"Something like that, kiddo. Listen I'm just feeling my way here, I'm no shrink like Doc Steve, but I have kind of an idea. You wanna go in the bedroom?"

"Yes please, sir."

In the bedroom Will stood in the middle of the room while Seth sprawled in a chair, his legs in a macho manspread and his hands locked behind his head, making the sleeves of his T-shirt pull back off his flexed biceps. "OK, you know I'm bigger and stronger than you, boy, like those thugs who attacked you. Just like them you're at my mercy. I can do anything to you boy."

"Yes, sir." Will felt excited but with an edge of fear as he flashed back on the three thugs. It was hard for him to separate the two images. Seth growled. "OK, kid, I wanna see you naked."

Will knew he had to obey ... and he wanted to. He kicked off his sneakers, and dropped his shorts and undershorts. Slowly he reached behind his neck and pulled the polo shirt up over his head and let it drop on the floor. The young redhead stood butt naked before the fierce, shaggy construction worker whose hungry eyes moved lasciviously over his body.

At last Seth stood up and walked behind the boy. "Oh, yeah, I'm gonna work that ass, boy," he growled, slapping it lightly, watching the cheeks bounce under the blows. I'm gonna take that ass, kid, I'm gonna own it and there's not a damn thing you can do about it. Who does your ass belong to, boy?"

"You, sir. It belongs to you."

"Damn straight. So get on the fucking bed, boy. He raised his leg, pressed his boot on Will's ass and shoved hard, sending him sprawling on the bed. Seth flipped him over on his back, pulled ropes out from under the bed and tied Will's wrists to the bedposts. Lying naked on the bed, his arms stretched up in bondage, Will stared in awe at the laborer looming over him.

"So you're the kid who thinks every guy who looks like me is gonna work you over bad. Hell, maybe you're right. Like I said, I get angry real easy and lose my cool, especially with a cute kid like you. Think about that, boy."

And Seth left the room.

<><> BANISHING DEMONS <><>

Will did think about it – and the image quickly morphed into the harrowing memory of the three thugs advancing on him. What if Randy hadn't come to his rescue and they had tied him up, worked him over and tortured his ass? And later, when Randy went down, and Will was bashing the third guy, what if Darius hadn't shown up. What if they had forced Randy to watch his boy get gang-fucked?

Up to now Will had pushed these terrifying images from his mind, but they now came crowding back, especially now that he was tied up at the mercy of another wild roughneck. He tugged helplessly at his bound wrists, and wrestled with the visions of horror crowding his mind. If only he could purge those thoughts and get a grip on his paranoia. It's what he had been trying to do in the kitchen, but he had ended up dazed and disoriented. The twins must have noticed too.

But his fears now fed on themselves, becoming ever more lurid, and reached a pitch when he heard sounds behind the door. They were coming back – the thugs were coming for him. The sounds got louder, he struggled and yelled "No...!"

Then everything changed. His mind cleared as he saw, not the thugs, but a different muscular tough guy – his dad Seth. Will stared up at him – the grim, rugged face, the clenched stubbled jaw and shaggy black hair. It was a fierce look ... until a smile slowly spread over the craggy features into a gleaming smile and his eyes sparkled. He came close to the bed and grinned down at the boy.

"Having nightmares, kiddo? Thinking about those goons and how scared you were? And here you are, all tied up at the mercy of another one. You think that every tough guy is out to hurt you – but that's all in your mind, Will. So I've gotta show you there are rough, tough dudes who don't wanna hurt you, they wanna love and protect you. And that's the guy who'll chase all those demons away, the guy you'll see in your mind from now on."

Will's tension drained from him, his mind cleared, and all he saw now was the man he loved. He was not scared of being tied up. He loved it, being at Seth's mercy. He watched as Seth pulled off his ragged shirt, kicked off his muddy boots and dropped his pants. He walked naked round the bed, his huge cock swinging between his thighs, and dipped his fingers in an open jar of lube on the nightstand.

"See?" he grinned. "This caveman even uses lube when he's working on the ass of a cute kid he's just tied up. And here's something else. He asks the kid first." He knelt between the boys legs, spreading lube on his cock. "Are you scared of me, kid?"

"No, sir. Not at all."

"Do you want to feel my cock in your ass?"

"Yes please, sir. More than anything right now." Will bent his knees and pulled his legs back, offering his ass to his step-dad.

"You're a good boy, Will, and a brave one. This is your reward ..." Seth leaned forward, braced his hands on the bed on both sides of his body and smiled down at him. He pressed the head of his cock between the ginger hair round Will's butt and eased it slowly, tenderly inside.

Will sighed deeply and gazed up into the seductive blue eyes set in the swarthy face. He wanted this so bad – needed it to vanquish forever the ugly images in his head. He felt the long shaft penetrate into the warm depths of his ass, then pull back. Seth smiled, "You want more?"

"Yes please, sir ... and more and more and more."

"That's my boy," Seth growled. "OK, kid, you're gonna get your butt ploughed by your old man."

Seth pressed his hands round Will's roped arms, pinning them to the bed so he was doubly helpless, and loving it. All the pain and fear of the last few hours were now in the past and Will embraced the present moment, and a safe future under the protection of this powerful man.

The gentle ass massage became less gentle as Seth's monster cock became more insistent and moved faster. "I can be rough too, boy."

"That's OK, sir. I'm not scared anymore. My ass is yours, wild or mild, however you want it."

Seth gazed down at the freckle-faced young redhead and he was humbled by the absolute trust Will had in him. He had never been loved by anyone as much as this boy loved him. Wild or mild? There was no choice. The wildman had to make gentle love to the boy.

"I'm so proud of you Will. You're a brave, beautiful boy and my cock feels so good in your ass – it belongs there, making love to you."

Seth untied Will's wrists and the boy reached up and touched Seth's face, then ran his hands down his neck and chest. He pressed his palms on his solid pecs as they flexed, rising and falling above him. He stared up into Seth's soft blue eyes that contrasted with his rugged, swarthy features, and loved the excitement of being seduced by him.

And that's how the brawny, shaggy laborer made love to his stepson. They lost all track of time, as they kissed, licked, stroked, and the man's long shaft moved in and out of the young redhead's butt. In the end, though, it was none of those that pushed them over the edge – it was the eyes gazing deep into each other that took them into a whole new world and brought their climax close. Seth said at last, "Will, I want to spill my juice in your ass – and I want to see you cum without touching your cock."

"I can do that, sir. I can do anything for you." He felt his dad's cock swell as it fucked him harder and deeper and the deep gravelly voice said. "I'm real close, boy. Cum for me kiddo. Let me see my boy cum while I fill his ass with my juice."

And so, with deep sighs and shining eyes, they came together. Seth watched his boy spurt jizz all over his chest, and his own muscled body flexed as his cock emptied its load in his boy's ass. They stared at each other, their smiles became laughter, and Seth fell forward and held his precious boy tight in his arms.

The anguish and trauma of the day was forgotten, the demons banished, and Will felt happier and safer than ever before.

<><> TOMORROW CAN TAKE CARE OF ITSELF <><>

Sometime later they were in Seth's kitchen, where Seth, in just undershorts, sat on a stool sipping beer. He was moved and amused by the sight of his boy preparing their dinner, wearing a dark green apron over his naked body, and a chef's hat at a jaunty angle.

"You know, kiddo. Second to being in my bed, you belong in the kitchen. I know you love being a chef and I love watching you. I guess tomorrow you'll have to go back to the twins eh?"

"They'll be needing me, yes sir. I'm sure they'll be planning a big celebration feast for when Bob and Randy get back. Bob's due back tomorrow and the twins said Randy should be released from hospital the next day."

"Yeah, I heard that Chad's operating on his arm and he'll have it in a cast when he gets back. He won't like that, him being so physical and all. It's his right arm too so he'll need Bob to do a lot of stuff for him. It'll cramp his style sexually as well – wonder how they'll handle that. Knowing the boss, he'll be ranting and raving, feeling bad about getting beat in a fight.

"Still, he'll be greeted as a hero – and so will you, kid. Randy's gonna think up a way of rewarding you, you know how much he loves you."

"Do you mind, sir? I won't do anything you don't want me to do."

"Nah, I love you kid, but I want you to be your own man and do whatever you like. Darius will get his share of praise too. That gorgeous black buck saved the day, and his man Zack will want to show him off. Should be quite a celebration."

"Yeah, but I'm happiest right here, sir, especially knowing I'll be sleeping with you all night. Tomorrow can take care of itself."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 552

Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter got you off, and I welcome your comments and suggestions, which can be very helpful in planning future chapters. E-mail me in confidence at rw6789@aol.com.

ALSO, I invite you to visit my own Web-site www.atrialofstrength.com. You can read the whole story, with extras including pictures and biographies of all the characters.

AND DON'T FORGET – IF YOU ENJOY THESE STORIES, PLEASE DONATE to this site. Nifty needs your donations to provide these thousands of wonderful stories. So please go to http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html and donate what you can. All the other writers and I thank you.