Rolling thunder rumbled through the forest. “Give me a break, will you?” Perry growled at the sky as he ran. The rain had eased off, but the continuing cold drizzle made the journey tough. His heart was ready to burst, and his panted breaths wheezed from his chest. He ignored the strain. This was life or death. He had to find Lincoln.

A potent sense of déjà vu assailed him. He was back on the battlefield. The mission had gone wrong. His best friend had been taken by enemy forces. The same heart-rending despair clouded his senses this time—with Lincoln captive to only the fickle elements and his own underappreciation for what nature could do—but Perry prayed for a better ending to this story, because he could not bear to lose someone else he cared about.

Lincoln had asked him why he left the military and he’d used his injury as an excuse. Truth be told, it was this one failed mission that destroyed him. The scar tissue that burned under his shoulder blade from where hot shrapnel had done its worst was of no real consequence. The mental scar from failing to save his friend was a different matter entirely, that one would never heal.

Perry had been honorably discharged. The official reason was PTSD. Unofficially, depression and grief had rendered him incapable of doing his job. He had returned to civilian life, determined to keep people out, never wanting to experience loss again. But somehow Nadia and Lincoln had gotten under his skin and into his soul. If he lost them, he did not know what he would do.

His eyes zoomed in on a fluttering piece of paper whipped along by the wind, and he slowed his mad dash to examine it. As he snatched it from the tree branch it was hooked upon, his hands trembled. It was one of Lincoln’s sketches.

“I’m on the right track,” he whispered. “Lincoln!” he shouted. His booming voice echoed for miles. He had to be close, but he had no idea which way to go. “Lincoln, goddamn it! Where are you?”

Perry heard a sneeze and sniffle somewhere up ahead. Then, he heard his name called out weakly. He dropped the sketch and sprinted in the direction of the sound. Something was wrong. He sensed it. His mind conjured a million bad endings. Anything could have happened to Lincoln in the hours they had been separated. He forced his legs to keep pumping.

When he finally saw him, his heart dropped. “Lincoln,” he gasped. His haggard-looking student and lover huddled in the freezing cold rain with a rough cast encircling his lower leg.

“I knew you would find me.” Lincoln smiled wanly as he slumped against a nearby fallen log to rest.

Perry kneeled before him, gingerly running his fingers along his injured leg. “What happened?”

“I think I twisted my ankle. Mmph!” Lincoln grimaced and bit back a whimper as Perry ran his ankle through a range of motion.

“I’m sorry to hurt you, but I have to check. It’s not broken. Looks like a bad sprain.” Perry swore softly at the dilemma. The ankle was tender and swollen and walking on it had to be excruciating. Lincoln sneezed several times in a row, and Perry stroked his forehead to check for fever. “We’ve gotta get you out of the rain.”

“I can’t make it,” Lincoln moaned, shaking his head.

“Yes, you can. You’re just hungry and tired. Here, eat this.”

Praying he was right, Perry rummaged through his pack and found the last of the jerky. He pressed some to Lincoln’s lips as he uncorked the canteen, urging him to drink. Some of the color returned to Lincoln’s face, and Perry breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

“Fuck, it’s c-cold,” Lincoln stuttered, trying to laugh it off. A surge of affection poured through Perry as he stroked his face again.

“I know. I know.”

Perry decided protection from the rain was the first order of business. Working against the clock, he quickly constructed a sturdy lean-to with evergreen branches, piling on the pine needles until all but the most determined raindrops were kept out.

Emergency supplies were in his pack to build a fire. He used his hatchet to split and shave a branch for dry wood and kindling. The simple act seemed to take forever, and he glared up at the darkening sky. He had to move faster to keep Lincoln from falling victim to hypothermia. Perry pulled some accelerant-soaked cotton balls out of a Ziploc bag and nestled a few between the slats of his hastily built bridge of sticks. Then, he ignited the assemblage.

“You asshole,” Lincoln tried to laugh. “You m-made us build a fire from scratch.”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures. You need heat. Let’s get you out of those wet clothes,” he whispered. The fire burned brighter as Perry ripped off Lincoln’s shirt and shed his own. He dragged him against his bare chest, imparting body heat, as he pressed his nose to Lincoln’s neck and inhaled gratefully. Perry dropped a soft kiss on his shoulder and hugged him tighter. “Better? How’s the ankle?”

“It only hurts when there’s weight on it,” Lincoln breathed. “The pants are wet, too.” Chuckling, Perry brought a dry shirt from his pack and wrapped it around Lincoln’s upper body. He got him out of his pants, taking care not to hurt his ankle as he wrestled them off.

Perry drew an emergency thermal blanket from his pack and cloaked them both. He sat against the log, sheltered by the lean-to, with Lincoln in his arms. He rocked him until his tremors ceased. The rain slacked off. The temperature dropped another few degrees.

Perry squared his jaw, ignoring his desire. Lincoln was flush against his body. He absently ran a hand up and down the actor’s torso. When his fingers skimmed lower, Lincoln moaned softly and moved toward his touch. Perry’s fingertips grazed his manhood. He licked his lips, contemplating taking things further. They had to get back to camp, but his body was screaming for sex.

He kissed the back of Lincoln’s neck and listened to him sigh in pleasure. Perry tenderly stroked his cock. He was warm and hard in his palm, and his veins pulsated with his racing heart rate. Desire radiated off him in waves. Perry could not resist the temptation.

Memories of the first time Lincoln had touched him came to mind. The first time they had sex. He kissed Lincoln’s shoulder and gripped him tighter. Parting his lips, he licked a silky trail up the side of his neck and found Lincoln’s mouth seeking his. He whimpered as Perry’s tongue swept deeper. Tension coiled around them both—a tangible ache that begged for release.

As Perry masturbated him with increasing eagerness, Lincoln kissed him harder, thrusting into his hand. The glide of his cock in and out of Perry’s grip made his loins tighten expectantly, and he pulled Lincoln into his lap. “I want to be inside of you,” he whispered. Lincoln nodded. “But we have to be quick. I can’t keep you out—”

Lincoln quickly nodded again and shushed him. “Just do it…”

Perry closed his eyes and reached between them to free his erection. He soaked his manhood with spit and eased into the crease, guiding Lincoln down his shaft. They both breathed faster as he navigated deeper. Perry tried to take his time, but the quiet sound of Lincoln’s encouraging moans made him want to ram harder. “Oh, yes,” he groaned. “Faster…”

As Lincoln rose and fell on his cock, the tantalizing draw of his asshole sucked Perry deeper and released him with agonizing slowness. He hooked his arms under Lincoln’s and gripped his shoulders for leverage. Thrusting up and into him, Perry took control.

His face contorted in a grimace of bliss as their bodies slammed together. The wet, sexy sound of ecstasy echoed in the deepening twilight. Perry had lost track of time. He splayed a hand over Lincoln’s chest. Lincoln gasped his name and shuddered. “Perry!”

“Yes! Uhn! Fuck,” he grunted.

He could not get enough of him. He pressed Lincoln to the ground and mounted him from behind.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?”

Lincoln nodded, swamped with desire. “Yes.”

“Yes, sir,” Perry corrected him. Lincoln giggled quietly as Perry nuzzled the side of his face and pushed deeper. His silent hiss of pleasure feathered over Lincoln’s neck and stirred a wanton moan in response. Perry rapidly escalated the already intense sex. “Just forgive me in advance.”

“For what?” Lincoln gasped, rocking to meet Perry’s passionate thrusts. Perry clasped his chin and dove a finger into his mouth, and Lincoln eagerly sucked. Perry swore as he bucked harder.

“I might not last,” he growled as he nibbled his earlobe. “I’ve been daydreaming about doing this all night. I can’t get you out of my head. I can’t get either of you out of my goddamned head!”

At the confession, Lincoln writhed with excitement. The air was thick with ozone from the storm. The loamy smell of earth rose from the damp grass near his face, adding to the primal lust that cut through him. Lincoln was acutely aware of how dire the situation had been a half hour ago when Perry found him. Now that he was safe with Perry, the danger seemed a lifetime away.

Every stroke set nerve endings afire. He was filled to the brim with pleasure. Perry pressed a hand to the base of his spine and fucked him harder. His moist lips skimmed Lincoln’s neck and shoulders in hot, seductive kisses that made him whine for more. They grinded together as one, straining to reach the pinnacle.

Perry doused Lincoln’s crease with more spit, and his thick, hard shaft penetrated and touched his very soul. Lincoln emitted a strangled moan as he clenched the grass beneath his hand. There was no way to pretend he was not affected. He fluidly rocked his pelvis to swallow and release him. He heard their slick connection. He reveled in Perry’s responses. The chorus of their pleasure climbed to crescendo in loud outcries and ragged exhales.

“God, you’re huge,” Lincoln groaned.

“You want me to stop?”

“Hell, no!”

Lincoln’s body stretched to accommodate his lover. Perry was balls-deep in his ass, and Lincoln was shocked at how good it felt to surrender. The first time at the hotel, he had been nervous, worried about what it meant that he wanted this man. The second time at camp, he had been open to the experience but unsure what to expect. This encounter was different. This time he knew what he wanted, and he chased the thrill with abandon.

Perry sobbed his name and jerked his head back by a fistful of hair. Lincoln hungrily kissed him, gasping. His ears reddened with exertion. He had entirely forgotten the throbbing pain in his ankle. Perry clasped his hip and rocked faster in and out of his tight sheath. His dewy pre-cum lubricated his passage as he prodded Lincoln’s prostate and begged him to let go. A riotous blossom of ecstasy unfurled in Lincoln’s core, and he shifted on his side to masturbate.

His erection hardened in his hand. The head of his cock glistened as he circled around with his palm and brought his fingers back down to his balls. He squeezed and massaged himself in tandem to Perry’s expert stroke. All the years Lincoln had wondered what it would be like to be with someone like the buff, muscular survivalist. His fantasies had never even come close to the reality.

His pelvis jerked involuntarily, and Lincoln gritted his teeth. Another wave of ecstasy washed over him. His mouth dropped open in a silent scream. His body levitated, anchored only by Perry’s arm across his chest. He rocked harder, taking his cock faster and deeper. It was unbelievably freeing.

“Fuck me! Ah, Perry!”

“Uhn! You’re so fucking amazing,” Perry grunted. “Tell me your sexy ass is mine.”

“It is! Ah, yes!”

Fireworks went off behind Lincoln’s closed eyes as he whimpered. Groaning, Perry lifted Lincoln’s leg and angled deeper. He captured his mouth in another fiery kiss, and Lincoln melted against his warm chest. He surrendered everything, taking the punishing strokes that made his libido surge. The impromptu sex was quickly becoming the best he had ever had.

“Now, tell me again, it’s mine,” Perry whispered.

“It’s yours,” Lincoln gasped. At the soft-spoken command, he thought he would explode. His abs clenched in anticipation as Perry rammed him with increasing fervor. His hand blurred, stroking his pounding cock. He dripped with excitement. He inhaled sharply, moaning. “It’s…yours!”

His steel pipe blasted jizz all over his stomach and chest. Lincoln cried out in bliss as spasms jerked his erection higher and more of his spunk cascaded down his thick, throbbing shaft. The sight of it seemed to drive Perry over the edge. He swept a hand over Lincoln’s rippling abs, touching the silky liquid. He ran it down Lincoln’s dick and squeezed the last drops free. Grunting, he suddenly pulled out.

“Where do you want it?” Perry asked desperately.

Lincoln opened his mouth. Perry rose on his knees near his face. He clutched the crown of his head with one hand and his own quaking erection with the other, and he jerked off against Lincoln’s lips. Within seconds, Perry threw his head back and growled fiercely as he climaxed, painting Lincoln’s face in a shower of pearly cum.

Lincoln moaned hungrily as he licked away Perry’s nectar. His body tingled with desire, and his heart raced at the taboo act, but he wanted it. He sucked Perry’s erupting cock into his mouth and rolled his tongue over his warm hardness. Sighing in pleasure, he finally released him and fell back to stare up at the beautiful man who had saved his life.

* * *

“When I said we were learning health and well-being this week,” Perry murmured, “I didn’t mean I wanted you to get sick so I could nurse you back to health.” Nadia carefully brought a cup of warm ginger tea to Lincoln’s lips and urged him to sip.

“What happened?” Lincoln coughed.

“After I found you and brought you back, you were so exhausted, you damn near passed out,” he explained. “You inspired Nadia to run off, too. I couldn’t believe the two of you would do something that foolhardy. By the way, you’re lucky I didn’t cart you to town and charge you with theft for taking my cellphone.”

Lincoln grimaced and looked at him with meek, emerald eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“He’s joking,” Nadia chuckled, swatting at Perry.

The instructor softened. “How are you feeling? You’ve been asleep all night and most of the day. Are you warm enough? Ready to eat?”

“God, yes! I’m so hungry, I could eat a damn moose.” Lincoln reached for the bowl Nadia extended to him, but he was struck by another brief coughing spell.

“Baby steps. See if you can get down this stew first. Then, we’ll work on a moose.” As Perry helped him sit up and spooned a few mouthfuls into him, Nadia hugged herself, scooting closer. “I was worried about you,” she whispered.

“We both were,” Perry added. “There’s something I need to tell you both. I got out of the military because I lost a close friend and went through severe clinical depression. I isolated myself from people because it was easier to do that than to open up and risk loss again. That approach worked for me for years.”

“The night at the hotel bar, even before we slept together, the two of you made me remember what I was missing. When we got out here, a part of me wished we could continue that good vibe. The other part wanted to continue with business as usual. I tried hard to keep the boundaries in place, but the second I realized you guys were missing, I knew that I wanted to keep you around.”

Nadia smiled teasingly and raked her fingers through his hair. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“I’m saying I like having you two around. I’ve never been needy,” Perry said with a grin, “and you’ll never get me to say I need anybody, but I want you two here for as long as I can have you. So, what do you say? Can you put up with me for another two weeks?” He spread his hands and Nadia tossed her hair, laughing softly, as she floated into his arms.

“If the alternative is another trek through ice rain, I think I can live with you,” she giggled. “I mean, maybe I am a bit spoiled, but that just means I know a good thing when I see it. It was crazy to consider giving up on this course when all I’ve wanted to do for months is learn survival skills. I can’t think of a better team to go through this journey with, so I’m in.”

Lincoln picked up the bowl of rabbit stew and gestured with the spoon. “Okay, can I be candid? Up to now, this hasn’t been my idea of a good time, but I’m willing to try again. I want to be able to get something out of this, something authentic. I tend to become whoever I need to be in any given situation, but out here, with you two, I want to be able to be myself.”

Perry stretched, nodding in agreement with Lincoln’s self-assessment. “Well, I’ve been up all night, and my shoulder is killing me from dragging your decidedly attractive ass on a stretcher for miles. I think I deserve a dip in the hot springs. This time without the dramatic blow-up. Anyone else care to join me?”

Lincoln pointed to his ankle. “I don’t think I can get there on this without my walking stick.”

“You’re in luck. I have it right here,” Nadia smiled. They had made it through their first bona fide survivor moment and the endorphins and hormones were raging.