[Author's Note: It snuck up on me, but this is the longest chapter yet. It also has far more sexual tension than action, but I promise I'll be making up for that in the next chapter. I enjoy these characters so much, and had so much fun writing the dialogue, I may've overindulged myself as we approach the conclusion (still aiming for 20 chapters but it may be a couple more). Regardless, I hope you enjoy. And as always, sincerely, thank you for reading.]
The next Saturday at noon the pledge class met back at the frat house. They hadn't had too many activities the previous week besides their daily workouts, and they'd been disappointed they hadn't been allowed to drink the night before for the usual Friday party. They were blindfolded and piled into an old school bus, then drove for about a half an hour, got kicked out of the bus in the middle of some woods, and were told to hike back to the house. All they got was a compass and told to go South.
The hike was actually pretty pleasant--the pledges had been getting close and even sober they had a good time dicking around and rough housing through the early Fall forest. Sean was an Eagle Scout and took the lead, and even if they weren't sure they were headed the right direction he made them think they were. Zach took up the rear, helping some of the more out of shape theater kids from falling behind. When they took a break to cool off in a pool along a creek Zach paused time and was able to scout out the highway nearby, ultimately bringing the pledge class back to the house in record time around mid afternoon.
The pledges showered quickly and changed into the clean clothes they'd left at the house that morning. Afterwards they went down to the common room and Dion passed out slips of paper, "Alright guys, time to vote for your pledge president. This is mostly to decide who you want to stick with organizing the pledge project, but more than that vote for whoever you think is a good leader, who you would be able to rely on if you needed a favor or somebody to talk to, ok?"
Zach didn't hesitate to vote for Sean, who he thought had done a great job leading the hike that morning, and it didn't take long for everybody else to vote either. Dion collected the slips and then told them to line up outside while he counted them with Jack.
When the pledges went outside they were surprised to find the rest of the frat already out there. Dion and Jack came out shortly behind them.
Jack spoke loudly to the pledge class as well as the rest of the frat, "The turds have voted for the shiniest turd, and the shiniest turd is......it wasn't even close, D's butt boy Zach."
Zach blushed as not only his pledge brothers but a good number of frat brothers clapped and cheered for him, the guys nearby slapping his back and congratulating him. Dion punched Jack's arm hard then smiled and winked at Zach.
"Now, the main event. When D calls your name step forward and you'll get assigned your big," Jack said. There was some excited murmuring from the pledge class.
Dion raised a hand to quiet them down, "I just got a few words to say before we start, because this is a pretty big deal. We're all brothers here, but your big brother is special. A big and little are a family within a family; you'll spend more time with them than any other brother this semester; you'll have your own traditions and activities; your big will be your best friend and number one advocate; and the respect you have for your big is meant to be the foundation of your respect for this brotherhood as a whole. So let's get started, and bigs when I say your name just stand by your little till we're done. First off Austin," Austin stepped forward looking nervous, "Your big is Rob." Rob walked over to Austin's side and clapped his shoulder as he stood behind him.
"Billy, your big is Matt," Dion continued and slowly worked his way down the list. As the list continued in alphabetical order Zach consigned himself to being last, wondering who he'd get assigned. He hoped it would be Dion, figuring he'd jump at the chance to spend even more time together. But that hope was soon quashed when Dion called out Sean's name and said, "You're mine, bro."
Instead, when it was down to just Zach Dion called out, "And finally, Zach, your big is Chris."
Chris walked over to Zach and gave him a quick pat on the back before standing next to him.
"So," Dion said to the crowd, "No party tonight. Rest of the day is for bigs and littles to get to know each other. You may hang out with some smaller groups later or it may just be you and your big; you may spend the night at the house or go camping or fuck off to the city the rest of the weekend, that's up to your big. Just have fun and stay safe, alright gentlemen?"
"And another thing," Jack said, "D talked about respecting your big. He put it nicely, as far as you bitches are concerned your big is an extension of my fucking godhood. Do what they say when they say it or there'll be hell to pay, understood?"
"Yes, pledge master!" The pledges shouted.
As the guys dispersed Chris turned to Zach with a smile, "We're gonna have some fun times, bud," he said as he clasped Zach's hand and pulled him into a bro hug.
"Can't wait," Zach said smiling back. Even if he'd been disappointed Dion wasn't his big Zach was excited to get to know Chris--not only cause he was Dion's best friend, but he'd had a fucking blast playing music with him the weekend before, and Chris just generally seemed like a cool guy. He was cute too, in a kinda nerdy skater dude way--his hair was nearly as long as Zach's but where Zach's was light and wavy Chris' was a mop of messy hair set over thick, expressive eyebrows; his face was long and he had a strong jawline, even with the scruffy facial hair that couldn't quite count as a beard; and he had a nice body too, not as nice as Dion's or Zach's, but he was fit enough and just shy of 6'.
"Come on," Chris said slapping Zach's arm and heading off, "We're goin for a drive."
As they were leaving the yard they passed Sean and Dion standing close together already caught up in conversation. Chris called out, "We still good for 8?" as he kept walking past them.
"Yeah we'll see you then," Dion said absentmindedly, till he caught sight of Zach and snagged his hand before Zach could follow Chris past them. Dion pulled Zach in and kissed him. Then he grinned and keeping his face close whispered, "Love you."
Zach blushed and grinned back, "Love you more," and they started kissing again. They'd been insufferably cute together since the threesome.
"Come on lovebird," Chris said sarcastically as he grabbed Zach by the arm and pulled him away, "Plenty of time for that later, now it's bro bonding time."
"Chrissy's right," Dion laughed as he put an arm around Sean, "Gotta keep our priorities in order, we'll see you guys in a bit."
"And I'll try not to steal your man," Sean said giving Zach a wink.
"You better not, I know where you live," Zach said with a grin, loving the sight of Dion and Sean arm in arm smiling at him.
Zach followed Chris out to his old beat up Jetta in the parking lot behind the house. Chris started the car and cranked the a/c and radio. Zach hopped in and they set off, vibing to weird but pleasant electronic music.
When they were out of town and driving along a beautiful country road through the woods and hills and farmland that surrounded it Chris took out a pack of cigs, passed Zach a spliff and said, "Spark us up." Zach obliged, and the scenery became even more beautiful and the wind in the open windows even cooler as they got high and cruised. Conversation was a bit strained to start, but once they started talking about music it came easily.
They drove to an even smaller town than their college town, hardly even a town, more a couple dozen houses and a convenience store that probably were there just for the old inn and tavern they parked at. Chris gave Zach some eye drops before they went inside and got a small booth in the back of the restaurant.
When the waitress came over Chris politely waved away the menus and said, "2 rib eyes, rare, please. Guinness for me, coke for him.
"I'm more of a medium rare guy myself," Chris said to Zach as the waitress walked away with their order, "But some grand big really liked it rare so that's how we're having it."
"Ever under the regime of our barbarous ancestors," Zach giggled highly, and then even more when Chris looked at him like he was crazy. "Sorry," Zach said pulling himself together, "I have too much time on my hands and I read too much. Just some Jefferson quote that came to mind."
Chris laughed at that and talked about his philosophy minor till the waitress came back with their drinks. Once she was out of sight Chris motioned to Zach's coke and said, "Chug half that real quick."
Zach was confused but did as he was told. Then Chris took the drink and quickly surveilled the room before he pulled a flask out of his pocket and poured it in Zach's coke.
