The Temple of Heaven

by Z. Allora

  Tian Di’s dick grazed across Jordon’s ass once again, terrorizing him with what should be happening on this vacation. Sex was what boyfriends did. They should have used all the condoms Zack had given them by now… well, at least most of them.

  No, he should tell Tian Di first. Jordon whirled around before his dick deflated. “Um, yeah. How about later? First let’s figure out what we want to do and head out.”

  If Tian Di wasn’t happy with the change of plans, he didn’t say. He shampooed his hair. Though shampooing one’s hair shouldn’t be an erotic act that could sell tickets. Every elegant movement enchanted Jordon, made him wish he’d have shut his damned mouth and had fun in the shower.

  Maybe he should—

  “Could you hand me a towel?” Tian Di asked as he shut off the water.

  Refusing to whine, Jordon dried Tian Di and then used a towel himself. He followed Tian Di out of the bathroom to their suitcases.

  “Where should we go?” Tian Di passed Jordon a pair of green underwear.

  Jordon tried not to drool as Tian Di pulled on a red pair of boxer briefs. The material clung to his ass in just the right way. “I don’t know. Any ideas?” Jordon tossed Tian Di one of his painted T-shirts and put on one of Tian Di’s.

  “Have you been to Kyoto? We’re too late for cherry blossoms, but Philosopher’s Path is still lovely in the mornings.”

  “I went on my first trip here. Though I don’t mind going back if you want to go. It’s gorgeous there. So much to draw.” Tian Di handed Jordon a pair of black jeans and nabbed a pair for himself.

  “Huh, where’s someplace neither of us have gone so we can explore it together?”

  Jordon swallowed hard. Was this his way of suggesting they should—

  Tian Di grinned. “Have you ever been to Jigokudani?”

  “Where?” Jordon glanced up from putting on his socks.

  Tian Di disappeared into the bathroom and came out with a bottle of mousse. “I do love the natural wave of your hair,” he muttered as he pushed product through Jordon’s hair. “Jigokudani is where you can see the snow monkeys of Nagano.”

  “I’ve seen pictures where they’re sitting in the hot springs and snow is falling. That would be great, but would they still be there this time of year?”

  After a quick Google search, Tian Di grinned. “The monkeys, which are actually macaques, are there year-round. Apparently, the park provides food.”

  Some weird fact tickled Jordon’s brain. “Wait, isn’t that where the Hokusai Museum is? In Nagano?”

  Tian Di danced his long elegant fingers over his phone. “Yes. We could see the snow monkeys and the museum. Have you ever stayed in a ryokan?”

  The excited question made Jordon glad he could say “Nope.”

  Dusty had wanted to stay in one of these traditional Japanese inns during their trip. They looked cool, with tatami mat floors, sliding papered doors, and futons on the floor for beds. Though at sixteen, sleeping on the floor and using communal baths had made Jordon dig his heels in and flat-out refuse.

  A few clicks later, Tian Di’s smile liquefied any of Jordon’s reservations. “We could stay near the park in a ryokan. I heard they even have some with private outdoor onsens.”

  Jordon wanted to ask if they had Western bathrooms, but didn’t want to appear a prima donna. Besides, for Tian Di, he would sleep on the floor and use a squat toilet for a night or forever. Whatever would make him happy. “Um, we could do that.”

  Tian Di placed the call and made the reservation.

  “Use my credit card. I asked you on this trip.” Jordon handed over the plastic magic.

  Shrugging, Tian Di whispered, “Fine, but I’m getting the train tickets and all of our meals.”

  “Sure.”

  “I held the room with the card, but we have to pay cash.” Before Jordon even told him, he didn’t have that much Japanese yen on him, Tian Di said, “We can stop at an ATM at the train station.”

  “Great. We should text our siblings the plans.” Jordon ignored the gnawing in his gut. He texted, Heading to Nagano! Snow monkeys and Hokusai museum.

  An immediate Be safe from Dusty and a Have fun call if you need me from Zack followed.

  Dusty texted, Miss you.

  Tears sprung to Jordon’s eyes. Geez, he was a twit. He’d only been gone a couple of days, but in Davis time that was a long time. Miss you 2, he texted as quickly as his fingers let him.

  Zack’s text read, Take pics… if you want.

  Jordon snapped and sent a selfie of him smiling.

  Tian Di finished texting his sister and pulled him into a tight hug. He didn’t say anything and he didn’t have to.

  THE TRAIN ride to Nagano flew by. Jordon leaned into Tian Di and whispered, “You’re the best travel companion ever.”

  “As are you.” Tian Di continued to read him articles about the snow monkeys in his deep voice. If the whole singing thing didn’t work for him, he could definitely get voice work.

  Jordon clicked around and found cute videos from the park visitors of the monkey drama. “Tian Di, look at this!”

  They watched the videos until the train pulled into Nagano’s station.

  Tian Di got off the train and turned to offer Jordon his hand.

  Jordon accepted the assistance and felt loved by the consideration. “Thanks.”

  Tian Di found an information desk and asked some questions in Japanese. He led Jordon to a ticket window, where they purchased a Snow Monkey Pass. “I found this tip online. This pass includes unlimited use of the bus, admission to the park, and free use of certain trains.”

  They boarded the bus and Jordon pressed in close to Tian Di. The contact made him cozy and more than a little bit aroused.

  Tian Di smiled. “I’m glad we’re doing this together.”

  Firsts were a big deal. He should just let Tian Di fuck him. They were in love; it couldn’t be terrible, right? Fucknuggets! Why did the thought make him feel sick inside? He heard the voice of his therapist in his head saying, “You’re not listening to yourself.”

  “Hey, you okay?” Tian Di caressed his arm.

  “We should fuck.” Jordon’s words squeaked out too loudly. There, he’d said it.

  Tian Di looked around and then whispered, “I think the transportation authority of Japan would frown on doing that activity while riding their bus.”

  Jordon’s laughter barked out. He shook his head, not letting Tian Di play the suggestion off as a joke. No, he could do this… he would do this. Jordon was all in, and this would prove how serious he was about Tian Di. He vowed, “Tonight.”

  The unreadable expression Tian Di wore made Jordon feel distant, but this was the next step in their relationship. Right? Maybe anal sex wouldn’t be so bad.

  Even if it was, he said it, so everything was settled. No backsies, as Zack would say. They’d do it tonight.

  JORDON AND Tian Di trudged a few blocks from the bus stop and hiked along a dirt path, following signs for the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Jordon switched his knapsack to his other shoulder. “I guess it was a good thing the Prince Hotel let us stow our carry-on with them.”

  “Everyone said that would make staying at this ryokan easier, since there’s no road for a taxi.” This was one of the first things Tian Di had said since Jordon had blurted out his unromantic, blunt, and possibly insulting suggestion of what their evening’s activity should be.

  God, he was such a cocksocket. Maybe he should—

  Tian Di pointed to the traditional wood house. “There it is.”

  The differences in the ryokan’s wood coloring suggested the building had expanded from a house to an inn and had sprawled out over the generations, with each adding a few more rooms or some more space.

  Opening the door, he let Tian Di into the wood lobby.

  A smiling man greeted them.

  Tian Di’s Japanese greeting got a smile, and the man directed his questions to Tian Di.

  Jordon didn’t mind playing an
ornament, and he let Tian Di fill out all the paperwork, while the apparent owner photocopied their passports and took a stack of Japanese yen for the room.

  He wandered over to the display case of basic toiletries and candy. The ryokan charged quite a markup. Lube. Did they have any Anal Ease? See? Fucking is such a bad idea. No lube! Dammit, he’d figure something out.

  The man waved Jordon back and led them through a wood-paneled hallway. He pointed to the communal bathrooms, which Jordon hoped they wouldn’t have to use.

  Ha, Jordon was worried about using a public restroom? Considering what he was willing to do for Tian Di, he almost snorted.

  God, this just seemed all kinds of wrong.

  The man opened a door, stepped inside, and flipped on the light. He pointed out how the lock worked on the outside door, and then took off his shoes and slipped on a pair of red slippers.

  Tian Di pointed to two more sets. “The blue ones are for guests.”

  Jordon put on a pair of the slippers and placed his and Tian Di’s shoes in a low cubby.

  The man slid the papered screen open.

  Jordon followed Tian Di and stepped inside. Serene was the first word that came to mind. The pristine room had tatami mat floors and white walls. A low, dark wood table and two cushions was the only furniture in the room.

  The man talked to Tian Di in Japanese, probably pointing out the amenities of the room.

  Peering out one of the two windows, Jordon saw that their room overlooked the ryokan’s public hot springs. The windows were cracked open just enough to allow in a cool breeze that made the curtains dance. Several monkeys sat on the rooftops and surveyed Jordon, probably looking for a handout.

  Tian Di translated, “The owner recommended we don’t open the windows more than halfway, because the monkeys will enter.”

  Jordon cranked the windows closed a little more before turning away. He could’ve sworn the monkeys gave him a pout. He smiled at the only picture in the entire room—a copy of Hokusai’s The Great Wave.

  The man continued to chat with Tian Di. Maybe he was telling him where they could get some lube… or not.

  He slid another door open to an all-white room containing a mirror, a sink, and a Western toilet. Thank the Great Cockasarus, ’cause squatting over an Asian toilet wasn’t in Jordon’s skill set, and ugly American or not, he’d like to keep it that way.

  The memory of Dusty taking him and Zack to the countryside in France wormed its way to the surface. They’d stopped at a rest stop. Jordon, much to his mortification, recalled racing out of the bathroom saying, “Someone stole the toilet. There’s just a porcelain hole in the floor.”

  Talk about embarrassment. But he was still glad there was a sit-down here.

  Their host went to the far wall and slid open another door to a small but perfect paradise. He pointed to the crocs in blue by the door and said more things to Tian Di in Japanese.

  Would any of this talk result in the lube they would need later… the lots and lots of slick Jordon would need to endure this… endeavor? If there wasn’t a separate gift shop, how long did Amazon Prime take?

  God, why had he said anything? What had he been thinking? He really did need to know if they even sold Anal Ease in Asia.

  Tian Di caressed his arm and then translated. “These are outside shoes to navigate the garden, or you can walk on the pebbled path for a foot massage.”

  Jordon nodded. He tried to focus on how the tiny gray pebbles could feel like anything other than stepping on Lego blocks again and again. A gentle breeze called his attention to the corner of the garden. A weeping willow’s branches draped low, swaying in the wind as it created a privacy wall of leaves. A wooden awning over the onsen had been artfully designed to give cover from weather while still remaining in harmony with the rest of the space. Steam rose from the sunken gray rock-hewn onsen, which was the size of twelve bathtubs.

  On a simple rock bench sat plastic bowls, body soap, and washcloths. Maybe Tian Di would teach him how to take a proper dip in their hot spring.

  “The owner wants to know if we want dinner in our room or—”

  “In the dining room.” Jordon’s voice jumped two octaves higher into the emergency range. “I mean… it’s probably very atmospheric.”

  Was that even a word?

  Tian Di frowned and dipped his chin. He spoke to the man, who slid open another door and pointed to the two navy robes hanging inside.

  He bowed and left.

  Jordon rushed to the closet for something to do. “Look! There are monkeys on the robes.”

  “You’re adorable.” Tian Di lifted Jordon’s hair and pressed his lips to the back of Jordon’s neck.

  Jordon moaned as shivers of want ran through him. He rested against Tian Di. This position made Tian Di’s erection nestle into Jordon’s ass crack. Spinning away, he clung to a monkey robe as if it would stop him from drowning in his own stupidity.

  “Um, I didn’t see them at the front desk, but maybe you have to ask for them. I bet they sell these.” Along with Anal Ease. Jordon rambled unable to shut his mouth. “We should check.”

  “If you want, we can take an onsen before dinner. The owner reminded me it was customary to wear our robes to the dining room.”

  What? “Sure.”

  “Maybe the onsen will relax you.” Tian Di kept staring at Jordon. Yeah, to him, Jordon must appear a puzzle.

  With a couple of pieces missing.

  JORDON FOLLOWED Tian Di outside to their private oasis. He shucked off his clothing and tried not to perv on his boyfriend. “Teach me the art of an onsen, senpai.”

  Busying himself with folding their clothing, he strove not to drool as Tian Di stripped his clothing away in what appeared to be more of a dance. Dammit, Tian Di was scorching hot.

  Tripping after Tian Di’s lithe form convinced Jordon he needed Michelangelo stat. Someone needed to capture his form in sculpture, and Jordon could never be that talented.

  “There’s various ways to prepare for an onsen, but the idea is you get clean before you get in. And if you prepare the right way, it will help you to adjust to the hot water before you get in.”

  “So where’s the bag of rice?” Jordon had always drawn his characters washing with the bag of rice before they stepped into the bath.

  “Are you hungry?” Tian Di’s lips twitched.

  Jordon giggled, then restrained himself. He started to chuckle, because Tian Di strained to keep a straight face, which made his eye twitch. “Starving, but let’s onsen first.”

  “A bag of rice is a thing of the past. Unless you’re at a posh spa, usually it’s a washcloth and soap, but let’s simply take a shower.” Tian Di pointed to the handheld sprayer in the corner. He nabbed some chopsticks from his bag, and twirled his hair up into a bun.

  Jordon longed for a pen to draw him.

  They soaped up and rinsed off.

  Tian Di set the washcloths to the side. “Since it’s only the two of us, I don’t think we need our privacy cloths. Usually you would use them to protect your modesty.”

  Jordon was embarrassingly erect. Argh, he totally should have taken Tian Di’s offer and gotten off this morning, because right now he could hang his privacy cloth on his jutting pole and there would be no hiding, only highlighting his state.

  “Take this bowl and pour water from the hot spring over you. Using the onsen water helps you get used to the temperature. You can add cold water from the faucet under the shower spray if you need to make the water cooler.” Tian Di demonstrated and then refilled the bowl for Jordon.

  Tian Di gently poured the hot water, and splashed down Jordon. The water burned but aroused as rivulets cascaded down his body.

  They repeated this process several times until Jordon almost begged for his cock to be put out of its misery with less teasing and more direct attention.

  Tian Di stepped into the onsen and sat on the smooth rock edge.

  Jordon copied him. Damn, Tian Di’s gorgeous cock was erect
and begging for some attention as well.

  Fuck, he really wanted to reach out and take care of Tian Di’s erection and his own. He could stroke them both off, and he’d bet within two minutes they’d need another shower.

  Although staying horny would help him do things….

  Taking Tian Di’s offered hand, Jordon stepped farther into the hot spring. Was this what a lobster felt like being lowered into a scalding pot? Hot water lapped higher and higher on his body as they shuffled down the slope.

  “Have a seat.”

  Jordon sat next to Tian Di on a stone bench that submerged him to the tops of his shoulders in near-boiling water. His muscles unwound and tension disappeared, only because there was no choice. He splashed the hot water on his face to wash away the sweat beading on his forehead.

  Tian Di rested his head against the edge. His eyes were closed, and several long pieces of hair dipped into the water.

  Jordon planted his mouth on Tian Di’s, and then pulled back. “You know I love you, right?”

  Wrapping his arms around Jordon, Tian Di kissed his neck. “Yes. And you know I love you?”

  “Yes.”

  Tian Di stared into his eyes. “No matter what.”

  Jordon wasn’t so sure. Here was the perfect time to talk to Tian Di about his feelings and worries, but the words eluded him.

  After a few minutes of heavy silence, Tian Di broke the stifling quiet. “We should get out. Too long in here can make you dizzy.”

  They dried off. Tian Di held out the monkey robe for Jordon.

  “We’re really supposed to wear these for dinner?” Jordon slipped into his and held Tian Di’s for him.

  Tian Di spun into his and kissed Jordon on the nose. “Yes, but if you’re not comfortable, we can—”

  “No, that’s okay. I can do this.” Wearing a robe to a restaurant was different, but he was here for new experiences. He needed to learn to deal.

  They scuffed down the wooden hallway in their slippers and entered the restaurant. Jordon envisioned this on a storyboard and smiled.

  Some guests dined in robes and some were in clothing.