Nathan had stopped in at the church, but Josiah was not there. He'd been confident Josiah would be, considering that it was Christmas Eve. There were candles burning on the altar and holly boughs adorning the side of each pew. The church seemed ready for Christmas, except for its missing preacher.
Former preacher, Nathan knew Josiah would say, but the man couldn't deny his own nature no matter what words he used.
There was only one other place that Nathan knew to look, and it wasn't anywhere in town.
He walked solemnly down the steps and then down the road that led between the church and the Grain Exchange building. The lights of the town quickly faded behind him and he found his path lit only by the myriad of stars that twinkled high above in the clear night sky.
When Nathan reached the large oak tree, he deviated from the road and climbed the hill that rose up on his left. At the top, he glanced first to his right and then to his left, but finally decided to simply keep on straight ahead. After a few hundred yards, he came to an outcropping of rocks, which had been invisible to him in the dark from where he'd stood on the ridge.
Seated, with his back against the largest rock, was Josiah.
"Evening," Nathan said quietly, hoping he wasn't intruding.
"Nathan," Josiah said. He rose to his feet and then placed a friendly hand on Nathan's shoulder. "It's almost midnight. I was beginning to think you had forgotten."
"How could I forget? Christmas is all about traditions, isn't it?" Nathan said. He was thinking of Christmases gone by; not all in his life had been joyous, but these past few, since meeting Josiah, held fond memories for him.
"Traditions," Josiah said softly. "To a joyous yuletide." He leaned forward and caught Nathan in a strong embrace.
Nathan returned the gesture. After a few moments, he began to feel the warmth from Josiah's hands seeping through his clothing to his skin. It was a comforting touch, a caring touch. Without quite realizing it, Nathan leaned further into the hug, tightening his arms around Josiah's solid frame.
This man was both a solace and a joy to him. It was so rare these days that they found the opportunity to share a quiet moment such as this.
Nathan pulled away, to look at his friend's face. Josiah's kind, keen eyes seemed to be searching Nathan's own face for something. Finally, a slow smile began to blossom on his lips.
"Christmas is also about the giving of gifts. Are you ready to receive yours?"
Nathan nodded as he leaned forward to place his lips against Josiah's cheek. Josiah's arms came around him again, slipping under his arms to encircle his waist. They managed to share a few solitary moments through the year, but none quite like this, none quite like the one they always shared at Christmas.
They slowly lowered themselves onto the blanket Josiah had already spread on the ground. Despite the clear skies overhead, the air was not overly cold, for which Nathan was especially thankful. He had already worked his belt loose by the time Josiah was easing him down, onto his back. Josiah then took care of the buttons on Nathan's trousers and scooted the material down as soon as Nathan lifted his hips.
Josiah was kneeling between Nathan's legs, staring down at him as Nathan gazed upward. The man's face was shadowed and unreadable, and Nathan felt almost blinded by the stars that twinkled brightly behind Josiah's head.
Josiah reached forward, wrapping his strong fingers around Nathan's already swollen shaft. He slowly began to stroke up and down his length; Nathan leaned his head back as waves of pleasure immediately began to roll over his body.
He'd waited all year for this and the anticipation was nothing compared to actually having Josiah touch him like this, beneath the clear midnight sky.
Nathan thrust his hips upward, encouraging Josiah to stroke him faster, to pump him harder. Josiah wrapped his other hand around Nathan's balls, fondling them, pulling on the skin, while squeezing gently. The muscles in Nathan's body jerked suddenly, forcing his back to arch and driving his head against the firm earth.
Then he was breathing again, forcing himself to relax, to simply revel in the feeling of Josiah's warm, callused hands on his smooth skin. When Josiah rubbed his fingertip over the head of his shaft, Nathan felt a tingle quiver the flesh of his ass. He smiled at the new and unfamiliar sensation; he liked it. Josiah brushed his finger over the slit again and Nathan felt another quiver. It was like a tickle, but on the inside of his skin. Amazing, he thought.
Then Josiah was stroking his length again and all the blood seemed to rush down into his shaft, swelling the flesh and making it feel even harder. His heart was beating strongly -- not in his chest, but in his groin -- and he ached with the displacement.
When Nathan thrust his hips upward again, Josiah slipped his hand between the blanket and his ass. Josiah's large hand cupped his firm cheek, squeezing the flesh.
Had it been like this last year? He didn't think so. As traditions went, this was far from growing tiresome, he thought for the briefest of moments. Then all he could think about was Josiah touching him -- caressing his ass, gripping his shaft, and pumping up and down the length. He leaned his head back again, gasping with need. He let out a small groan, wanting this, wanting it more than he could ever remember having wanted anything.
Another stroke and Nathan let out long groan, louder this time as the tension built in his groin. Josiah continued to pump him and Nathan wanted to scream his name, but all he could do was release a strangled moan that seemed to echo across the hills. The sound seemed alien to his ears, not like anything he'd ever heard uttered by man or beast. His outcry was soon forgotten, however, as Josiah began to run a finger between his cheeks, up his crack, to caress the tight ring of muscle.
Nathan was gasping for air now, throwing his head back against the blanket as his hips jerked and bucked with each stroke of Josiah's hand and finger. He was gasping, howling, moaning.... Then suddenly stars burst behind his eyelids as he felt a great release spreading through his body. Nathan's hips were thrusting up into Josiah's hand, pushing his shaft against his palm, as he felt his warm seed splattering onto his belly.
Nathan let out one last moan and then felt his entire body fall limp. Josiah continued to gently caress his shaft as he lay down beside him on the blanket. Nathan's heart was beating furiously inside his chest again and the blood was rushing nowhere except in his ears. His head felt light and full of cotton and he didn't seem to be able to muster the energy to open his eyes.
Eventually, he realized that Josiah's hand was resting on his chest. He didn't know how long it had been there, but he was confident it had been a while. He turned his head slightly to the side and was gratified when his cheek bumped against Josiah's lips. Josiah reached up and gently caressed the side of his face, from his ear down to his jaw.
"Happy Christmas, Nathan," Josiah said.
Nathan managed a weak, but sated smile. "And to you, Josiah."
~ The End ~
On The Eighth Day Of Christmas...
December 31, 2002
Comments would be most welcome if sent to: C.V. Puerro
Please do NOT repost this story anywhere outside of the Blackraptor Fiction Website.
Characters from "The Magnificent Seven" were used without permission and this story in no way
signifies support of, or affiliation with, The Mirisch Group, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment, or CBS Worldwide, Inc.
My thanks to Charlotte for kindly beta-reading this piece. I appreciate her time and generosity!
Quoted lyrics are from "It Came Upon The Midnight Clear" written by E. Sears.
Background graphics courtesy of Snogirl.
