Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 103 of 619

They made camp in a hollow off the road. Tucker unstrapped a small keg from the pack pony. He set it on a flat stone and tapped it with the butt of his knife. "Gnome payment," Tucker said. "He slipped it in with the map. Said one night wouldn't kill us." Ajax looked at Chalam. Chalam sniffed the tap and shrugged. "Beer. Nothing worked into it. I'd smell it." "One cup each," Ajax said. "Watch stays sober." Grayson took first watch and walked the ring of trees. The rest sat around the fire with tin cups. Tucker poured. Marco drank fast. Asher drank slower. Chalam nursed his. By the second round Ajax felt the edge come off his shoulders. He let the third cup go around too. Tucker stood. He set his cup on the stone. He pulled the leather vest over his head and dropped it in the dirt. His chains caught the firelight. He rolled one shoulder, then the other, and held a flex. "Well," Tucker said. "Who's up to sneak off with me in the woods?" Marco laughed into his cup. Chalam did not move. His eyes stayed on the fire. Asher set his cup down. He unbuttoned his shirt one hand at a time and shrugged it off his shoulders. His gold chain hung against his chest hair. He stepped around the fire and stopped a pace from Tucker. He flexed his arm, matched the pose, and grinned. "I'm up," Asher said. Tucker's grin went flat for one beat. He glanced at Chalam. Chalam was okay with it. He knew their relationship was only casual. Ajax stood up. "No one wants me?," Ajax asked and flexed his biceps after downing another beer. They looked at him. "Rule stands," Ajax said. "Consent in camp. We can go off and sneak away as long as we’re camped. Now who wants to be my first dance partner? I need it." Marco stood, slowly removed his shirt, and flexed his biceps at Ajax agreeing go with him. Chalam stood and went out to relieve Grayson early. As Elara slept soundly, Tucker and Asher kissed by the fire and Ajax and Marco did the same.