Tango and Taz 4: Your rules, not mine.
"Dude, you look like a deranged Pop Tart."
Tango stood in the middle of the kitchen, slathered in some white cream his mother had gotten from the doctor, and glared at Taz. It was bad enough that he had to be seen like this by his mother, who hadn't spared him the slightest sympathy as she covered his back, ass, and legs in the slimy gunk. Listening to Taz describe him as a breakfast food in front of her was about all he could stand.
"How about I stuff your head up your ass, since it seems to miss companionship of the same mental level." He sneered. His mother cleared her throat and sat back on her heals.
"G.R., I would appreciate it if you watched your mouth." Her use of his initials signaled him that she was not in the mood to be trifled with. "It's a bit of a stretch for me to blame Tanner for you having second degree burns on a part of your body that WAS NEVER INTENDED TO SEE DAYLIGHT!" He sharp words cut into his self pity, making him feel like a fool. "Now put your wrap on, and go find somewhere to be. I'm tired, and I want to watch a show in peace."
Tango said nothing, glad that the redness of his skin hid his shame. His mother had come home from work when Taz called her, finding Tango passed out on his bed, in shock from a horrible sunburn. He had been out of it for over a day and a half, and had cost her a lot of money for home visits from the doctor. When he'd woke up this morning, Tuesday, she'd been there waiting to make sure he was all right.
He took the terry cloth bath wrap from her and put it loosely around his waist. Currently, it was the only article of clothing he could tolerate against his skin. He stopped when his mother called, turning with one foot on the stairs, unable to meet her eyes.
"G.R., Taz told me you were trying to impress that girl down at the parts shop." She smiled wanly and stepped over to her son. "I have reservations about the fact that you wanted her to see your butt tanned, but I am sorry you're in pain, baby." She touched his cheek and kissed him. "You're lucky it was my days off, or I'd've been really pissed."
"Thanks, Mom." Tango smiled and walked carefully up the stairs, followed closely by Taz. He closed the door to his room behind them and sat gingerly on the bed, pulling open the Velcro closures on his wrap. "Jesus, I thought she was gonna kill me this morning."
Taz scooped up Tango's face in his hands and kissed him. "I'm glad she didn't. You scared the shit out of me." He plopped into the desk chair and grinned as Tango wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "But I got to admit, dude, you look like a walking light bulb."
"Thanks." Tango grumbled as he pulled himself up on the bed. The sheets stuck to the gunk on his legs and butt. "Jesus, this stuff is a fucking mess."
"Me and Brett are in good shape. We already talked to Joey. We'll cover you tomorrow. I told him the same thing I told your mom, you know, about Cassidy." Taz turned on the computer and started the browser. "He said if you think your ass is burnt now, let a woman get her hooks in you."
Tango chuckled and settled into his pillows. He looked at Taz, as if seeing him for the first time today, and felt a funny draw towards him. Taz's hair was freshly washed; it's dark gold strands almost floating up from its shoulder length in the errant drafts of air. Although dark red and tanned brown, Taz's skin hadn't been damaged as badly as Tango's and it seemed to glow. Taz wore a tank top that was cut down the sides, exposing his taught physique, and a pair of nylon basketball shorts that clung to his thighs and ass. Tango shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "Taz," He asked, feeling a strong need to establish a definition of exactly what they had, "can I ask you a stupid question?"
Taz turned from the computer and put his feet up on the bed, crossing them. "Of course, man. What's up?" His face looked so open, or at least devoid of deception, that Tango felt a tug at something in his chest. He looked almost like a little boy sitting there.
"Do you love me?" Tangos asked quietly, careful to not sound stupid, or like he was putting the feeling down. "You and me have been together for a long time. You... seem to like the, uh, things that we've done lately, and I was wondering if you thought that you might love...me."
Taz's face seemed to slowly change from something carefree to almost a blank, and then he looked down at his hands. His jaw worked a couple of times, but he didn't say anything. Tango felt his heart beat increase, and he was afraid he'd hurt Taz's feelings, the last thing he had wanted. He reached out with his hand. "Taz..."
Taz nodded his head rapidly a few times, and then looked up at Tango, tears beginning to roll down his cheeks. Tango was shocked and scared. In all of the years that they'd known each other, he had never seen Taz cry. Not because of injuries, or when his dad died. He couldn't remember one time.
"Please don't hate me, Tango!" Taz whispered and put his hands over his face. "Oh, god, I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Taz, no!" Tango slid across the bed and took a hold of Taz's wrists, pulling his hands away. "Taz, I don't hate you." Taz looked into his eyes, and Tango put his hands on each side of Taz's face. "I don't hate you."
"I thought I'd be alone forever!" Taz wrapped his arms around Tango's shoulders. "I hated being so close to you and being alone, dude. It fucking sucked."
Tango winced at the pressure on his skin but said nothing, putting his arms loosely around Taz. He squeezed his eyes shut, amazed at how close he was to crying. "You're not alone, you little shit. You never were. You just have to promise to let me sort my head out and not smother me, okay?"
Taz leaned back and nodded again, grinning like a fool. Tango wiped away the streaks on his cheeks. They shouldn't be there, and he guessed it was part of his job to make sure they didn't get there again. "Now get off me. You're pulling on my burn."
Taz jumped up like the bed was on fire, concern flashing across his features. "I'm sorry! I didn't think..."
Tango put his hand over Taz's mouth, then pulled him down and kissed him. "Go get on the computer and see what the email says." Taz smiled at him, almost shyly, and went back to the computer. "Do me one favor? Please don't tell anyone until I sort this shit out, okay?"
"I waited this long, didn't I?" Taz turned away and tapped at the keyboard. Tango sighed and slid back up on the bed and lay down on the pillows heavily. It was hard to tell if life just got better or worse. He drifted back to sleep, exhausted.
He woke up to see Taz getting dressed in his battered work clothes. It was five thirty in the morning. "Can I borrow the Bitch?" Taz asked, putting his wallet and change in his pockets. "Brett has the Chevy because I can't drive it." Tango nodded, and Taz picked up the keys and bent over. "I'll see you after work." He whispered and kissed Tango on the lips. "Your burn looks a lot better."
Tango watched him go and dropped his head back on the pillows. Obviously Taz had stayed and watched over him all night, sleeping on the other side of the bed. Tango reached out with his hand and caressed the pillow Taz had used, feeling very lucky as he drifted back off.
"Taz, are you okay?" Brett straightened up from placing a section of sod and noticed Taz's pained expression.
"Man, these shorts are rubbing me." Taz tried to pull at the fabric of his underwear without being obvious. "It's fucking with my burn." He hadn't burnt as bad as Tango, but what had been white skin from his waist to mid thigh was very sensitive and painful. Having the stretchy fabric pushing his dick around every time he moved was becoming a major stress.
Brett glanced around and made sure no one was around. "Look, little guy, why don't you jump in Tango's truck and take off your underwear? No one will see you through the tinted windows. I guarantee you, you'll feel a whole lot better." He pulled at the elastic waist of his shorts and revealed that he didn't have any on either.
"That's a good idea. Anything is better than this." Taz walked over to the truck and climbed in. It was so hot in the truck he almost couldn't breathe. In a few seconds, he had the bikinis off and his cargos back on. He stashed the briefs in the glove box, the jumped out and trotted back over to Brett.
"It feels really funky, dude, but a lot fucking better. Thanks." Taz reached up and pulled a length of sod off the pallet and positioned it.
"No prob, man." Brett chuckled and grabbed more grass. "I never wear 'em. To restrictive. I hate the feel of them now."
"It feels like everything is jiggling around." Taz got a goofy smile on his face. "It's weird."
"You get used to it."
Tango got up and showered, turning the water pressure way down with the knobs, and setting it still fairly cool. It felt wonderful to get all that slimy shit off his skin, even when the skin was starting to peel. He made a face as a good-sized piece came off his ass in his hand, and he flicked it towards the drain. As he lathered his torso, he noticed that the line between his stomach and groin was much less defined now, the red fading towards a cool brown tan.
He carefully spiked his hair and shaved his face, examining his reflection. He dropped his towel and stepped back, pleased with the all over appearance. His tan was much deeper now, and he almost matched. Maybe the trip to the lake had been worth it. If they went again, but were more careful this time. No one would be able to see a tan line in the pictures.
Tango stopped and shook his head. When exactly had he gotten used to taking the pictures? Just a second ago he was excited about the idea. When the hell did that change? He pulled on a pair of loose sweat shorts, the same ones he'd lent to Brett, and wondered down the stairs. He remembered being very upset about the pictures, and couldn't figure out why he wasn't now.
"Hey, Honey." His mom looked up from the table where she was eating a sandwich. "You look a lot better today. How do you feel?"
He bent down and kissed her cheek and then wandered over to the fridge for a Coke. "It's still real sensitive, but it doesn't burn anymore." He lifted the leg of the shorts and gave her a devilish grin. "Looks cool, too."
She shook her head. "Yeah, it does. Was it worth puking and feinting and being sick for?"
He grinned, embarrassed. "Yeah, it was."
They ate in silence for a few moments, Tango grabbing an apple off the counter. They were so relaxed together, and yet he felt so guilty. His mom had been his best friend, and he had been hers. They had toughed out the world together, and had prospered for their hard work. Now, as he watched her eat, it felt so wrong to not tell her about Taz. She'd known Taz as long as Tango had, and he had spent nearly as much time here as he had at home.
Taz's dad had been a fireman, the hero of every kid they knew. Taz walked on air around his dad, and Tango had sort of become one of the Jones children, using Mr. Jones to fill the void that his own dad had left. Mr. Jones had been broad sided by a large truck that had lost its brakes, and was killed instantly. Taz was devastated.
They had gravitated towards Tango's mom because she seemed like the sturdy rock when the rest of the world dissolved into chaos. Taz's mom was never the same, sort of shallow and fake to the outside world, and distant to her kids.
Now he looked at her across the table and contemplated what he should do. "Mom, can I ask you something?" He asked, looking at the table and drawing circles in the condensation from his glass.
"Sure, Honey, what?" She didn't look up from the magazine she read, turning the page.
"How do you feel about gay people?"
She stopped, lowered her sandwich without taking a bite, and looked at him, wondering what the joke was. "Uh, feel about them how, Tango?" She tried to use his nickname as often as she could remember to, since he had a strong dislike of his given name.
"Well, me and Taz have this friend, Brett? He likes another guy, but he doesn't seem, you know, gay." Tango glanced at her, then back at the table. His palms were sweaty, and he wiped them on his shorts nervously.
"You guys seemed to have stayed friends with him. I don't see what the question is." She sipped at her drink and took a bite of her sandwich.
"Uh, well, if he really loves this one guy, but never looked at another guy, you know, wasn't interested, is he gay? Or do they just love each other?" Tango tried to act like it was the easiest thing in the world to ask, but his heart pounded in his chest.
"Well I think gay is gay, but like I said, I never thought about it. I certainly wouldn't end the friendship if that's what you mean. That would be really stupid." She stood up to take her plate to the sink. "Being gay or not gay doesn't change the way people are, Honey."
"Would you love me if it was me?" He asked quietly, then slowly looked up at her face, terrified with what he might find there. "His parents aren't very happy, you know? His mom thinks it's sick."
"Tango," she said softly, walking around the counter and leaning on it, "I would love you no matter what." His mother slowly leaned down on the counter, resting on her elbows. Her gaze was very intent, and he had to force himself to not turn away. "Are you trying to tell me something, Baby?"
Tango's throat closed up, and he had to swallow hard in order to speak. A tidal wave of shame washed up through his body and into his mind, making him feel like he was drowning. All he could do at first was nod, tears forming in his eyes. He squeezed them shut, trying to force calm, but it wasn't happening. "Me and Taz, uh, we..." He swallowed again, feeling very afraid of how his mother, his friend, was going to react. "I think we're in love, Mom."
She didn't answer for a long moment, and neither did she look away. He stole a quick look, and found her face totally unreadable. "We didn't mean to, you know?" The tears won and rolled down his cheeks. Tango sniffed loudly. "I wouldn't have ever chose this. I tried to avoid it, but it happened."
"I don't know what to say." His mother said, straightening up and leaning on her hands. "I am a little shocked, to say the least." She shook her head slowly and looked at the counter. "That's a real hard choice, G.R., I guess you know that."
"I didn't want it Mom." Tango covered his face and began to sob. "I'm sorry I disappointed you." His chest heaved, and he cried uncontrollably. "Oh god, Mom, I'm so sorry."
She moved around the counter and scooped him up in her arms. "You are the best thing that ever happened to me, young man. You surprised me, but I will never be ashamed or disappointed. You're my one and only baby, and I love you." Her voice became very firm, and he wrapped his arms around her and cried on her shoulder, feeling very much like he had when he was young and had done the same thing.
"I love you, Mom." Her blubbered, feeling warm and reassured. No matter what happened, like his dad walking out on them, or any injuries he'd ever had, she was always there.
She pulled back and looked at him, smoothing his hair and caressing his cheek. "I hope you understand that this is a hard road you guys are on. You'll always be either in the shadows or being ridiculed. You have to look at the whole picture, Honey."
"It scares me, Mom, really bad, but I've thought about this until my fucking head almost explodes. I can't change it." Tango used a napkin to wipe his nose. "I think maybe I knew how I felt a long time ago, but I never realized it, or tried not to."
"Well, it sounds like you're thinking about it," she stood up and went to the counter and picked up her keys. "I can't promise that I'll come to grips with this very fast, but you're still my son, okay?" He nodded, and she headed for the side door to the driveway. "One other thing, 'Tango'," she emphasized his nickname and turned to look at him over her shoulders. "Please don't make a habit of using that type of language around me, hmmm?"
Tango blushed and nodded, then jumped up and ran to hug her. "I'm real lucky to have you, Mom." He said quietly.
"I'll see you tomorrow, or if you want, why don't you and Tanner come down and I'll take a lunch break. We'll go across the street to Burger King." Again he nodded and kissed her cheek, then watched her out to her car, waving as she backed out and drove away. If there was a luckier guy on earth, Tango wanted to meet him.
Taz threw the shovels in the back of the company truck and slumped down on the curb next to Brett. They were exhausted. Brett handed him an almost cool can of coke out of their cooler, which was now full of nothing but water. It didn't matter. Taz popped it opened and drained half of it, feeling the burn down his throat. He belched loudly and leaned back on his elbows.
"Jesus that had to've started down by your feet." Brett glanced at the other. "Even I can't burp like that, dude."
"Don't sell yourself short, man. With practice, you can be almost as offensive as I am." Taz grinned and punched Brett's shoulder.
"Wow, what a lofty goal. If only I could attain it." Brett smirked and dropped back on the grass.
"Brett, does anybody know you're gay? I mean other than me and Tango?" Taz asked out of the blue. Brett looked sidelong at him, surprised because Taz had used his name rather than 'man', or 'dude', and not really surprised about the question, but about the timing.
"Some friends I have on the net. Nobody around here, though. Why?"
Taz rolled onto his side. "I was just curious. I mean, you seem like a normal guy, ya know?"
"I couldn't tell anybody. My dad is kinda fat, but he could pick that truck up and do this." Brett held out his pop can and crushed it in his hand, then tossed it into the bed of the truck. "I don't want to make him mad."
"It must be lonely." Taz said quietly, looking at the truck.
"Have you told anybody you're gay?" Brett asked.
Taz chuckled. "Dude, I didn't even know I was, uh, you know, gay, until last night."
"You weren't attracted to guys, or look at 'em?" Brett asked, smiling.
"No. I even saw you naked up at the lake, and it didn't make me hot or anything." Taz stood up and held out his hand, pulling Brett to his feet. "Only Tango, man, only Tango."
"That's pretty cool." Brett walked around and got in the cab. "You guys wanna do movies or something tonight?"
"I don't know. Go get cleaned up and call me at Tango's. If he feels better, let's do it." Taz held out his hand and shook Brett's. "It was cool workin' with ya, man."
"Same here. I'll call you guys in an hour." Brett watched Taz get into the 4runner and start it, and then pulled out onto the road. Taz turned the other way and headed home for clothes, then to Tango's.
Tango looked up from the book on the computer HTML language as the front door opened and closed, a faint smile coming to his lips. The unmistakable pounding of Taz running up the stairs thundered through Tango's open door, and the smile became a grin.
Taz stopped in the doorway, his hair still wet and plastered to his head, and his jersey tank top sticking to his obviously still damp body. He panted, catching his breath, and a grin spread on his face, his eyes betraying mischief.
"Did you even bother using a towel?" Tango asked, trying to seem aloof, but he couldn't maintain it. He held up his arms and Taz dashed forward and threw his arms around Tango. An incredible urgency possessed them, like a light going on in their heads reminding them of being apart.
Tango kissed his lover desperately, his chest filling with a happiness he almost couldn't handle. All he could understand was that for that moment, they were one, and that was all he needed. His skin was still mildly sensitive, but he ignored it entirely as Taz's hands came up across his back.
"Damn, dude. I could get used to coming home to that." Taz gasped, pulling back for air. "Look what you did to me." He looked down at his crotch, which was beginning to show signs of an uncontrollable response to stimuli.
Tango laughed and hugged Taz hard. "I did that to you? You got a problem 'cause I want to do it some more."
"Yeah, I got a problem. Every time you touch me I pop up like a Lawn Bird sprinkler. Twice today it happened just 'cause I was thinkin' about you." Taz blushed and pushed his hair out of his eyes. "It's not funny."
Tango's giggles subsided, and he kissed Taz again, more slowly this time, feeling an electric jolt as their tongues began to dance. He pulled Taz's silky nylon tank top up and over his head, then gently cupped his balls through the fabric of his baggy basketball shorts, surprised that he didn't feel any underwear.
Taz floated into that magical world where only one person could send him, lifting his ass so Tango could pull off his shorts. It was like having an electrical storm race over his body as Tango's tongue began to search out and trace every definition of each of the muscles on his chest and stomach. He inhaled sharply when he felt his cock engulfed in warm wet pressure.
Tango gently moved his hand up and down the length of Taz's shaft, keeping his mouth close to the fingers. Experimenting, he varied the pressure and rhythm, listening and watching to see the other's reaction. He found that it gave him a cool sense of satisfaction to see Taz arch and thrash, knowing that he was giving as good as he'd gotten. He doubled his efforts, hearing Taz's breathing become ragged and shallow. He touched Taz's ass sphincter with the tip of his finger, and almost got thrown off as Taz groaned loudly and bent backwards.
Taz tried to reach around and touch Tango, but the nerves in his body wouldn't obey him. A hard shiver ran through his stomach, causing him to clench his tight six pack, and he shouted in animalistic fury and shot into Tango's mouth, over and over pumping hard each time, causing an almost painful ecstasy. His limbs shook with little tremors as the most intense orgasm of his life subsided, leaving him a quivering mess.
Tango lit a cigarette for him and then one for him self, climbing up onto the bed next to him. They didn't speak, not really needing to, and Taz rested his head on Tango's stomach. An unspoken agreement now connected them, and an emotional tie now existed that Tango hadn't been willing to allow. Taz decided it wasn't necessary to tell Tango how he felt, because deep down, He knew that Tango already had it down.
Tango brushed the hair away from Taz's face, feeling warm flushed skin against his own, and realized he was happy. Taz was his, and always had been. It was like something that he'd always known. If he asked Taz to tackle a tree, he would, no questions asked. The more he looked at Taz, the more beautiful he became, and Tango relaxed about his choice.
Across town, not to far from Brett's house, a computer screen lit up a darkened room in pale ghostly shadows. Images of Tango and Taz flashed by as they were down loaded to the hard drive, saved for later study and use. A pale figure, naked and thin, sat at the desk and directed the files into the correct directory
Anger burned in slitted eyes as Brock moved his hand faster and faster. He knew these guys, this Tango and Taz, and he hated them. They were what he cherished most in the world, and would never have. Beautiful. In a cry of anguish, he came on his own hand, knowing that he would never have beauty, or someone beautiful. It stole the pleasure from him as his thin body contracted with each spurt.
It wasn't fair, the way they looked at each other and touched each other. Why should he be so alone, and them so happy? He began to sob as he cleaned off his hands, jamming the tissues into his eyes. It wasn't fair...
Thanks again for the emails. I've been buried on a daily basis, and am trying to answer them all. I've just received permission to post stories on teenboyauthors.com, and will be editing and cleaning up every chapter of all of my stories so that they can be sent in. Should start going in anytime now. I still look forward to posting on Nifty, and so will send new chapters in at the same time.
Dan ICQ 65086797 Rimshot@planetaccess.com