TLR CHAPTER 100

Rosemarie, Snarks and PJ

New Year’s Eve Pirate Party

Written by PJ, Rosemarie and Snarks

Mutt, Eric, Adam, Jeff and Torren arrived at the party after seven, having gotten off work and taken the time to take quick showers and change into their costumes. They could smell the food before they even got to the lodge and their mouths began to water.  Torren laughed when he heard the CD he'd burned with sea shanties, playing on the outside speakers as they approached the building.  Mike was doing a good job of keeping the music playing, but it was going to be his turn once he went inside so that Mike could have a break and get to party and mingle with the others.

<<<<>>>> 

Back at his bungalow Brendon finished the final touches to his makeup and costume and asked, "You ready Tris?"

"Ready." Tris smiled, adjusting his curled brown wig beneath his tricorn hat.  "This is going to be a blast." He grinned.  He couldn't help but to admire Brendon's form beneath the loose-fitting shirt and the tight black pants.

Brendon grinned back and impulsively laid a kiss on Tristan. "And you my boy are irresistible," he told Tris.

Tris blushed and grinned shyly.  "Let's get going," he said.  He didn't want to go to the party, he'd have preferred to stay there and kiss some more.

Brendon smiled and winked at Tris. “Later,” he told him as they walked over to the lodge together.

<<<<>>>>  

Ryan had watched as Coral dressed as Jack Sparrow. He was to be his cabin boy, but hadn't begun to ready himself, playing with Castiel instead.

"What's the hold up, Ry?" Coral asked.  He'd been ready and waiting to go for nearly an hour and he didn't understand why Ryan seemed to be dragging his heels.  "Are you alright?"

Ryan snapped, "Yeah." Holding and petting his kitten who was making a soothing purring sound.

"Watch that tone with me, little boy.  Now tell me what's bothering you?  Politely, please."

Ryan was nervous and anxious about the party and was having a bad craving, but he didn't want to spoil things for Coral. "Nothing," he told the older man, continuing to pet the feline on his shoulder.

Coral knew his boy too well and carefully pulled him into a hug, watching out for Castiel. "Everything is going to be alright, Hon.  Talk to me."

Ryan remained silent, petting his kitten, but allowed Coral to hold him.  

"Talk to me honey," Coral prompted again when Ryan didn't answer.  "Having second thoughts?"

Ryan snuggled into the hug. "No, no second thoughts. I'm nervous and... well edgy," he hedged.

"Edgy... having a craving, Hon?"

Ryan blushed and hid his face in Coral's shoulder and gave a little nod, the kitten trying to bat at Coral’s hat.

Coral knew that the beverages at the party were going to be non-alcoholic but Jake assured him that they would taste authentic. He worried that the taste would make Ryan's cravings worse.

"Come here, Honey," Coral said, pulling Ryan in closer and planting a gentle kiss on his lips.  "We'll get through this craving, just like we have the others.  You're strong, Ryan O'Donnell, and you're mine. I take care of what's mine."

Coral wanted nothing more than to forget the party and stay home with Ryan, making love all night. But the party was being hosted by James and he knew the man would be hurt if they didn’t make it, being they were the guests of honor.

Ryan asked, "Help me to get dressed?” He continued to pet Castiel.

"My pleasure," Coral answered with a glint in his eye.  He eased the kitten off Ryan’s shoulder and neck and helped Ryan get dressed in such a way that was nearly as sexy as when he helped undress him, kissing him all the while to take his mind off of the cravings and focus on the here and now.

Ryan squirmed at first and watched as Coral eased his little furry friend off him and then grinned and returned Coral's kiss gently.

Coral took his time dressing Ryan and smiled when he put the final touches on him.  "How do you feel now, Angel?"

"I feel better Coral," he said as the kitten jumped back on his shoulder and batted at his earring. “Are you sure we have to leave Castiel at home tonight? Pirates had parrots that they carried on their shoulders sometimes, why can’t I have a kitten? We still have his parrot costume from Halloween.”

Coral smiled, but shook his head. “We've talked about this before. Castiel could be hurt. Someone could accidentally step on him or hit him with one of those foam swords. Plus, there's going to be food and the guests wouldn't be happy with cat hair garnish. He has food and water and will be fine for the few hours we'll be gone now that he's a bit older."

Ryan sighed, petting the fur ball a bit more, then nodded and said, “I guess you’re right and it would be for the best, even though I really don’t like leaving him.”

The older man smiled, straightening and looked at his adorable brat. "Ready to go now?"

Ryan looked longingly at the kitten but nodded. "We're supposed to go and it should be fun for us and everyone else.

"It will be, Hon.  We're going to have a great time.  There's music, and I'll dance with you, and we'll stuff ourselves with all that great food. Your kitten will be fine. Let's head out," he said, pulling his wig and hat on.

<<<<>>>>  

Spencer as he arrived with Warren began to sashay around all the pirates.

Other 'pirates' took note of the lovely Anne Bonny and wolf whistled. They had to admit that Spencer made a beautiful woman, and the costume was sexy as all hell.

"I'm not sure she dressed that sexy, but I'm not complaining," Warren said. “Because when all is said and done, you're mine at the end of the day," he whispered, his breath tickling Spencer's ear.

Warren smiled proudly at his man but hollered out, "Ye can look, but no touchin' maties or ye'll have to answer to me."

When Ryan and Coral arrived Ryan’s, green eyes widened. "I thought there weren’t supposed to be any women here Coral."

The older man laughed aloud.  He recognized Spencer's walk immediately but he couldn't help stretching out the joke.  He guided Ryan over to the lovely lady and took her hand.  "My lady," Coral said, doing an impressive Jack Sparrow imitation, "may I present my cabin boy."

Spencer said in a high falsetto, "Why hello dear, you are a rather cute one. No wonder Jack here has claimed you for his own."

Ryan blushed and smiled, recognizing Spencer. “Thank you, Ma’am,” he responded.  Coral hugged his boy and took him off to mingle with the others.

Dean arrived dressed as Black Beard and poked Duke, who was dressed as Captain Kidd in the back with his fake sword. "Don't move matey or I'll have ta run ya through!" he growled.

Duke spun around anyway and pulled Dean into a tight hug. “It’s good to see you baby bro,” he greeted. "I haven't seen you in hours!"

Dean chuckled and returned the hug. “You look real good Duke.”

Duke grinned back. “Thanks baby bro…you look good too…how come your sword is blue and mine’s red?” he asked.

Dean said, “I’m not sure. It was the one Jax gave me when I came in.”

Duke nodded and smiled. “Well this party looks like it will be fun!”

Dean nodded and grinned. “I agree, at least it isn’t the usual boring New Year’s Eve party.”

The other man grinned and said, “That’s for sure.”

The two brothers went to find Jake. Dean scanned the crowd to locate Griff.

<<<<>>>>  

Con and Brian had driven their truck down to the resort for the party. They had changed into their costumes at the bunkhouse where they would bed down for the night.  Shorty and Bo were already dressed so the four men were now waiting for the twins.

"Hey, I'm supposed to be wearing the red, you're the blue!" Jarrod yelled.

"Am not, you're the blue! I always wear red."

"Not tonight! You’re the blue!"

“Both of you are going to be wearing red if you don't hurry up," Shorty yelled up the stairs.

"Yes sir!" came the identical voices in unison.  The two boys ran down the stairs, still giving each other the stink eye until Shorty cleared his throat.

Bo raised his eye patch and laughed at the look the twins were giving each other.

<<<<>>>>  

As everyone walked into the lodge, they were surprised to find Jax standing at the doorway, handing out foam swords, blue to the tops, and red to the brats. "It'll all be explained later." Jax grinned.

He smiled at Griff as he handed him a Red sword.

Griff gave Jax a confused look as he took it and then looked around to find Mutt. Seeing the other man smiling broadly at him he took the toy and grinned back.

Dean, seeing Griff take the sword with some hesitation, walked over and smiled at the other man, patting him reassuringly on the shoulder. 

Griff managed a smile. He was still mourning Chad and this would be his first New Year's without him, but he had done alright at the Christmas party so he hoped this party wouldn’t cause too much hurt.

Jake sauntered up dressed as Bluebeard.  He took out his foam sword and lightly whacked Duke's backside with it.  "Arrr, ye scurvy dog," he growled. "Get down 'ere an' give us a kiss!" he demanded.

Jax laughed as he watched Jake and Duke.  His own men making a large presence dressed as Captain Hook and Jean Lafitte.

Duke jumped a little at the unexpected swat from Jake's sword but obediently bent down and gave the man a kiss.

Greg, who had the night off for once, made a dashing Dread Pirate Roberts with Tank accompanying him as Fezzik.  They were pleased to find that many of the party goers knew who they were supposed to be and got a kick out of making Greg say, "As you wish," over and over again.

<<<<>>>>  

After Jax handed out the swords, some of the brats immediately began to smack each other with them until their tops distracted them and led them to the tables to have their dinner.

Dinner was pleasant, everyone chatting and laughing. Many of the residents had pushed tables together once again forming much larger ones where they could gather around, and despite their tops best efforts, the brats began to gravitate towards each other, heads together and grinning, never a good sign in their opinion but at least they were all having fun.

After dinner, the resort owner whistled and called everyone out onto the dance floor.  James, otherwise known as Captain Hook stood in the center of the group explaining the rules of a game while Jax walked around handing out foam swords to anyone he had missed when people were arriving.

James once he got everyone’s attention explained that the tops had the blue swords and the brats the red ones and they were to pair off blue and red and then on his command commence to fight.

The fighting would continue until there was only one pair on the dance floor or the fighting was called to an end.

As he listened to the explanation about the sword colors Duke glanced at Jake, giving him a puzzled look as he glanced over at his little brother with a blue sword, but then shrugged.

As he listened to the rules, Harry grinned at Brody. "This sounds like it will be fun."

"Yes, it does, Babe," Brody agreed.

Ryan grinned at Coral. "You know I'm gonna beat you, don't you?"

"Fifty lashes with a foam sword? Could be fun," Coral replied, waggling his eyebrows and grinning.

James whistled to announce the start of the game.

Ryan grinned and whacked Coral with the sword. "There's one."

Coral retaliated with a smack to Ryan's backside.

The twins didn't wait to be divided into teams, but picked up their swords and began to whack each other, laughing and dodging and completely forgetting their disagreement about their costumes.

"En Garde!"  Coral yelled, swinging his sword and catching Ryan across the backside again.

Ryan swung his sword and caught Coral across his head and laughed.

Shorty laughed from the side as the twins attacked Bo.  

"Hey, this is Top against Brat," Bo yelled as he deflected the twin’s feeble blows.

Harry whacked Brody across the chest with his sword.

Ryan caught Coral across his bottom and grinned.

Coral swung three times, in a zigzag pattern, catching Ry across the legs, back and head.  "Have at thee!" he yelled.

Duke faced off against his baby brother.  Jake grinned at the two men who suddenly came together then turned on the unsuspecting bartender.

Mutt and Jeff pulled a reluctant Griff into their battle, smacking him until he laughed and gave back as good as he got.  He found he was having a good time despite himself and jumped in surprise as Dean gave him a solid thwack across the backside before turning back to attack Jake who was doing his best to fend off the onslaught from his lover and hopefully soon to be brother-in-law.

Tank and Cary whacked Marty, then Greg with their swords. "Take that laddies!" they yelled.

James grinned as he watched the action and winked at Heath.

Jake, mortally wounded, took several seconds to 'die', landing gracefully on a table with a sword sticking out of his chest.

Jax rang the ship's bell calling an end to the fighting, and asking everyone to please be seated. 

James grinned. “I really can’t tell who’s won the game!” He and Heath had also battled, fending off Jax and some of the other brats who had tried their hand at attacking the doctor and resort owner, all in fun.

Without anyone noticing Tank, Cary, Greg and Marty who had been let in on the secret reason for the party, slipped out the back door and ran toward the lake to ready the fireworks which they would set off when James signaled them by putting a lit candle in the window facing the beach.

When the men cleared only Coral and Ryan were left in the center of the floor, swords pointed at each other's chests.

James smiled as he watched the couple and winked at Heath. “Looks like we may have a winning pair after all!” he announced.

Ryan looked at Coral and said, "Kneel you dog, surrender!"

Coral knelt, reaching surreptitiously into his jacket as he did so. "I kneel, and I surrender my heart to you," he said as he pulled out a thin gold band encircled with diamonds.  “As long as you will consent to be my husband."

There was an audible hush in the room as the party goers waited for the young man's answer.

Ryan looked at Coral smiling with joy and said, "Yes...I would love to be your husband!"

Coral stood up, smiling widely as he approached Ryan.  He took his lover's left hand and placed the ring on his finger.  "Then it is I who win," he growled as he kissed Ryan with a passion.

Ryan gasped a little but returned the kiss. Once Coral released him he dropped to his knees and said, "I too surrender my heart to you from now until forever if you'll consent to be my husband." He took out an identical, but larger ring from a pocket in his shirt showing it to Coral.

"I accept your surrender," Coral agreed, his smile now gentle and loving as he held out his hand for Ryan to place the ring on his finger.

The younger man put the ring on his future husband's finger with a smile and happiness glowing in the green eyes. He rose to his feet and pulled the bigger man into a fierce hug and announced before giving Coral a passionate kiss, "I'm the real winner here!"

"Gentlemen," Heath's voice rang out.  "Let me welcome you to Coral and Ryan’s announcement party."

At first there was stunned silence, and then the men cheered, rushing up to Coral and Ryan to offer their congratulations and slap the men on their backs.

That was when the first of the fireworks began to be set off.  Coral looked at Ryan and smiled and returned the young man’s kiss.

Then as things quieted down most of the brats found their Tops and snuggled into their arms.  Dean moved closer to Griff to offer support in case it was needed. 

Ryan snuggled close to Coral and looked up at the fireworks through the slightly frosted windows while some of the others put on their jackets and went outside to watch the fireworks display.

It was a perfect moment in time for the two men who were going to begin a new page in life’s journey, writing their story together.