The Inheritance Clause

This story contains descriptions of graphic sex between males. If that kind of thing does not appeal to you, stop reading now.

This story is pure fiction. If this resembles something that happened to you, it must have been an incredible experience. But it's simply a coincidence.

All comments are welcome: djwarner1984@hotmail.com Please donate to Nifty: https://donate.nifty.org/

-DJ

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The Inheritance Clause - 17

In the middle of the night, Dawson rolled onto his back. Adam eventually rolled over and clung to Dawson's side, his head leaning against Dawson's chest, his legs wrapped around Dawson's leg.

Dawson woke a few minutes before the alarm was to go off. Adam was still sound asleep, clinging to Dawson. Dawson brought his left arm up and embraced Adam. Adam snuggled closer to him when he did. In the soft light coming from the bathroom, Dawson looked down at Adam, watching him sleep. With his right hand, he began caressing Adam's hair, gently brushing it back from his forehead. Adam took in a deep breath and exhaled. He squinted his eyes open and clung tighter to Dawson.

"Hmmm," he hummed as he started to wake.

Dawson felt the vibrations in his chest.

"Good morning," Dawson whispered.

"Mmm, morning," Adam managed to croak out and then he cleared his throat.

"You were so tired last night," Dawson said.

"Sorry, I don't even remember coming to bed," Adam said as he tilted his head up.

Dawson kissed his forehead.

"The alarm is about to go off," Dawson whispered.

"Ugh, no, I just want to cuddle with you," Adam said with a bit of a whine.

Adam held onto him even tighter.

"I know, babe," Dawson said as he started to caress Adam's hair again.

The alarm went off. Adam rolled over and shut it off. He rolled back and pulled the covers up over their heads. He climbed on top of Dawson. He hugged him and nuzzled his head into Dawson's neck.

"Can't we skip the fence today? I just want to spend time alone with you," Adam lamented.

"C'mon, babe. Wouldn't you rather spend the day with your dad?" Dawson said with a joking voice.

"Ugh! He just sucks the life out of everything," Adam said.

"I know. C'mon, we should get moving," Dawson said.

Adam begrudgingly rolled to the side and the two boys got up. Adam stood up by the side of the bed and stretched. Dawson gave Adam's boxer brief-covered butt cheek a moderate swat with his open hand. Adam flinched and sighed. Dawson swept him up in his arms from the side and began nuzzling his neck. Adam could feel Dawson's erection pressing against his hip.

"Hey," Adam reacted, still half-asleep, "What are you doing?"

"I'm saying good morning," Dawson said and then went back to nuzzling Adam's neck and humping his hard cock into Adam's side.

Adam began gently pushing him away. Dawson released his embrace as Adam stepped back.

"You can't throw a guy out of your bed one minute and then attack him with your threatening boner in the next," Adam said as he started to chuckle.

Dawson looked down at his erection making a bulge in the fabric of his shorts.

"You think it's threatening?" Dawson said playfully.

"I was being generous," Adam said with a grin as he stepped toward the bathroom.

Adam walked away, but kept an eye on Dawson, who was just standing there with his mouth open and his arms out to the side.

"Ouch!" Dawson said as he stood there in mock surprise, "Um... Feelings?!?!"

"Awwww, did I wound you, babe?" Adam said as he got to the bathroom doorway.

"Yeah, a little..." Dawson said as he fake pouted.

"I'll make it up to you later," Adam said as he turned and ran his hands under his waistband and exposed his ass cheeks.

"Tease..." Dawson said as he just stood there.

Adam jiggled his ass cheeks with his hands. Then he walked into his room and out of Dawson's sight. Dawson smiled to himself and absentmindedly rubbed his erection. He sighed and then began getting dressed.

After putting clothes on, they both brushed their teeth. They separated and went through their own bedrooms and joined each other in the hallway.

When the boys got to the dining room, the judge was there eating a muffin and drinking coffee. She was wearing a sweatshirt, jeans, and a baseball cap. Her braided hair came out from under the cap in the back.

"Morning," both boys said at once.

"Good morning," the judge said, "I got up early and went down to the garden to watch the sunrise. It was chilly but beautiful."

Dawson nodded in acknowledgement as he poured coffee into a traveling mug.

"Why haven't we done that? We should get up and watch the sunrise," Adam said to Dawson as he was selecting his fresh muffin.

"Because of all the tasks we have to do," Dawson said as he prepared his coffee.

"Oh, tasks... We should find out what our task is today. We might have to do that and scrap the fence," Adam mused as he began making his coffee.

"Oh, right... I forgot," Dawson said.

The judge watched the two of them as they both got a bit anxious. Adam took out his communicator and asked Krantz and Niven what their task was for the day. As Adam waited for them to respond, Niven and Krantz came into the dining room through the kitchen doorway.

"Good morning," Krantz said.

They all acknowledged Niven and Krantz.

"There are two tasks today," Krantz said.

The boys looked at him and Niven with concern that they may need to cancel the fence building because of the tasks.

"I don't think they will impact your plans," Krantz reassured them, "First, the directive instructs you to use the hippo figurine on Mr. Jameson's armoire to unlock his office. Then, you are to unlock his safe. He left the combination. He asks that you send the envelope in the safe to Ms. Castillo. And go through the things in his office. Much like you did in the master bedroom, you should keep what you want, discard the rest."

Krantz had a slight grin as he cited the directive. The boys smiled as they listened.

"Is it safe to say we completed that one?" Dawson said.

"I think so," Krantz replied.

"Mr. Krantz," the judge interjected with a serious tone, "I'd like to inspect this directive."

"We figured you might," Krantz said, "Niven will show it to you before you all head out to the fence line."

Niven and the judge nodded at each other.

"What's the other task?" Adam asked.

"You are to inspect all of the emergency supply kits and restock them as needed," Krantz said.

"What emergency supply kits?" Dawson said.

"They contain batteries, flashlights, non-perishable food, water, two-way radio, maps, glow sticks, blankets, hand warmers, and other assorted survival gear," Krantz said, "Mr. Jameson had them put together about ten years ago. It was after we had a particularly bad storm that knocked the power out for about a week. There is a backup generator now, but he still felt it was prudent to keep the kits up to date."

"How many are there?" Adam asked.

"There are three kits. One is in the front hall closet. One is in the supply shed down by the dock," Krantz said, "And there is one kept at Rosemary's Point."

Adam nodded as if he were now remembering the emergency kits.

"There won't be any need to go to Rosemary's Point," Krantz explained, "I just happened to have checked them all last weekend. I brought that kit to the house to restock it and haven't had a chance to return it."

"Well, we should still go through them ourselves, so we maintain the will's conditions," Adam said.

"Yup. I wouldn't want to have the declination clause kick in on a technicality. We can do it when we get back from working on the fence," Dawson agreed.

The judge had her mouth slightly open and her head tilted as she listened to the boys and Krantz.

"Thank you, Krantz. Are we all set for today?" Adam said.

"Both Jeeps are gassed up and ready to go. The cement mixer is attached to one. The trailer is attached to the other. You and Dawson will need to put the new posts and rails onto the trailer. I can't do that myself," Krantz said.

"No problem," Dawson said.

"And I've packed some drinks, the apples and carrots for the horses, and a picnic lunch," Niven said.

"Oooh, picnic lunch..." Dawson said as his eyes lit up.

"Yes, some fried chicken, potato salad, and corn bread," Niven said with a satisfied smile.

"That sounds delicious," Dawson said with enthusiasm.

Niven pursed her lips.

"We should start loading the fence posts and rails," Adam said, grabbing a muffin.

Dawson started for the door with his travel coffee mug and a muffin.

"Only one muffin?" Adam asked Dawson.

"I need to save room for the fried chicken and corn bread," Dawson said.

Niven pursed her lips and there was almost a hint of a smile. She and the judge exited through the kitchen doorway, so she could show the judge the directive. The boys went to the garage with Krantz. They began loading up the fence posts and rails onto the trailer. They were able to fit almost three quarters of them on the trailer. Just as they were finishing, Artie came out of the garage.

"Morning, dad," Adam said.

Artie didn't say anything. He looked like he hadn't fully woken up yet. Adam did a double take on his dad's appearance. He wasn't sure if he'd ever seen him in jeans and sneakers before.

When the judge appeared with Niven, they stowed the apples, carrots, and picnic lunch into one of the Jeeps.

"I'll drive the Jeep with the trailer. Dawson, can you drive the one with the cement mixer?" Adam said.

"Sure," Dawson said.

Before Adam could stop him, Dawson opened the passenger side door of Adam's Jeep and helped the judge get in. He shut the door. This meant Dawson would ride with Artie. Adam looked at Dawson with surprise.

Artie took his time moving to the passenger side of Dawson's Jeep. Once he got in, they all headed out. Adam began pointing out things on the property to Judge Lynch as they drove to get to the fence line. In Dawson's Jeep, he tried to engage with Artie. But Artie just ignored him. Dawson kept trying as he ate his muffin and drank his coffee. Artie just sat there, saying nothing, looking miserable.

When Adam came to the fence, he slowed and then stopped. Dawson pulled up alongside him. Adam got out, opened the door for the judge, and she got out. The two of them started toward the fence. Artie rolled down the window but stayed in the Jeep. Dawson got out and grabbed the bag of apples and carrots.

Adam whistled for Elvis. The boys already explained about Elvis, so the judge knew what to expect. But she didn't really know until the horses were galloping toward her. She took a couple steps back while Adam and Dawson remained at the fence.

After the horses stampeded by them, the other horses waited at the side while Elvis came back around. The boys started petting him. Elvis kept going back and forth, cuddling between the two. The judge came over and Elvis took to her as well. The three of them kept petting and talking to him as he kept nuzzling his head into them.

At one point, Elvis turned and got into his race starting position.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you... Watch this," Adam said to the judge.

Adam got into his race starting position. Elvis backed off and shook his head. Adam looked at him funny.

"What's the matter, Elvis?" Adam said with concern.

Elvis shook his head again. He came around and went over to the fence where Dawson was. He put his head next to Dawson's.

"What's wrong, Elvis?" Dawson asked with concern as he petted Elvis' head and neck.

Elvis had his head next to Dawson's head and he nudged him gently. Then he did it again.

"What's he doing?" Dawson said.

"He wants you to race with us!" Adam said with excitement.

Elvis nodded his head and then nudged Dawson again.

"You want me to race, too?" Dawson said to Elvis.

Elvis nodded. He went back over to get into his racing position. He turned his head and looked at Dawson.

"C'mon," Adam said as he got into his race starting position.

Dawson smiled and came over. He got into a race starting position next to Adam. Elvis nodded and then set himself.

"Reeeeady....seeeeeet...go!" Adam said.

The two boys took off at full speed while Elvis trotted just behind them. The judge, up to that point, was stunned by what she was witnessing. But now, she started laughing loudly as she watched. Adam began to edge Dawson just a bit as they both tried to beat the other. When they had raced about 7 or 8 fence lengths, Elvis took off and passed them. When Elvis came back around, he was prancing in victory. He kept nuzzling his head over the fence rail, pushing the two boys together as they made their way back to where the judge was. She was laughing and clapping her hands with delight.

"I have never seen anything like this," the judge said with a huge smile on her face.

"Oh, wait," Dawson said, "Here."

Dawson ran to the bag and pulled out an apple and a carrot. He went to the fence and held it out for Elvis. Elvis gingerly picked up the apple and ate it. Then he fed him the carrot. Adam went through the routine about feeding the other horses. As the rest of the horses were approaching, the judge stepped up and fed them with the boys. Her face lit up with wonder each time a horse came by and took an apple or a carrot from her.

When they were petting Elvis to say goodbye, Adam began to tear up. As they watched the horses trot away, Dawson forgot that Artie was watching. He put his hand on Adam's shoulder to comfort him.

"You know, when you told me about Elvis yesterday, I thought you were exaggerating. And after seeing him and the two of you interacting with him... it's still unbelievable, even though I just saw it with my own eyes," the judge said with excitement.

Adam didn't say anything he just nodded. Dawson looked over at Artie still in the Jeep. Artie was watching him and Adam. Dawson tried to casually remove his hand from Adam's shoulder.

The boys and the judge got back into the Jeeps. They drove all the way down to the far end of the fence line. They began unloading the new posts and rails, laying them on the ground near each existing fence section. They continued doing that until they ran out of lumber. Then, they drove back to the far end of the fence line.

Without saying anything to each other, the boys got to work. Adam, being careful to stay on the Jameson side of the fence line, began dismantling the rails, keeping the posts in their holes. Dawson began mixing the cement.

"How can I help?" The judge asked.

"Umm... Do you want to remove the rails? I can then help Dawson set the new posts," Adam said.

"Sure, what do I do?" Judge Lynch asked.

Adam gave her a pair of work gloves and a hammer and crowbar. He showed her what to do. She picked it up quickly. After removing the first rail by herself, she spoke softly to Adam.

"Your father's not going to help us, is he?" the judge remarked.

"Nope," said Adam as he began trying to remove the first post.

"Why did you let Dawson invite him out here if you knew he wasn't going to help?" asked the judge as she pulled one of the rails off.

"Dawson thought maybe he could get my dad to know him better. Dawson's trying, but my father is so hard-headed," Adam said with disappointment.

"Hmmm," she said as she looked over at Artie.

She took a few steps toward the Jeep.

"Mr. Jameson, aren't you going to lend us a hand?" she asked as she gripped the hammer and crowbar she was using with her gloved hands.

"What do you want me to do?" said Artie.

"Well, for starters, you can get out of the Jeep," the judge said.

Artie got out and just stood there with his hands in his jacket pockets.

"Take your jacket off and put on some gloves," the judge said as if she were in charge, "Go help Dawson," she concluded as she swung the hammer in Dawson's direction.

Adam raised his eyebrows as he looked at the judge. She glanced at Adam with a slight grin. Artie did what she said and went over to Dawson.

"Ready yet, Adam?" Dawson asked.

"Yup!" Adam said as he was finally able to lift the first post out of the ground.

"Here, can you take this over to Adam?" Dawson said as he plopped a bucket of cement at Artie's feet."

Without complaining, Artie carried the bucket over to Adam. Adam thanked him. Artie took a step back and watched. Dawson came over with the new post. Adam and Dawson set the new post and confirmed it was level and in line. Dawson inserted two new rails. Without having to talk to each other, the boys set the next post with the connecting rails.

The judge had removed a number of rails and was moving at a pretty good clip. Artie helped pump the water to keep the cement wet and delivered buckets of cement to the boys. Adam, Artie, and Dawson got into a rhythm and they replaced a dozen sections of the fence in quick order. They all took a break and drank some water. Soon they were at it again, as they continued replacing the posts and rails.

As Adam was removing one of the posts, he couldn't get it loose. He tugged on it but it wouldn't budge. He repositioned himself, so he was to the side of the post, right on the fence line. He shifted the post back and forth a couple times to loosen it. He hugged it and grabbed onto it as best he could. Then with extra effort he tugged hard. It came out unexpectedly. He lost his footing and he fell backward in the open space on the fence line.

There was a loud, "Thunk!" when he fell on his back as the heavy post landed on him.

His chest took the brunt of the weight of the post and it knocked the wind out of him. He was lying on the fence line. He managed to roll the post off of himself toward the Jameson side. But as he tried to recover, he rolled his body toward the Santos side of the fence line, groaning softly. He ended up on his back again with his body completely on the other side of the fence line.

"Adam!" Dawson yelled when he heard and saw what happened, "Are you alright?"

Dawson immediately dropped the new post he was lugging and moved toward him. The judge stopped and looked over. Artie was holding half a bucket of cement. He put it down and stood up tall.

"Aha!" Artie said with delight, "You went over the line! You left the property!"

Dawson hadn't crossed the fence line when he stopped a few feet away from Adam. He looked at where Adam lay on the ground. His stomach sank. Adam's whole body was definitely on the other side of the fence. Adam sat up, finally catching his breath. It started to register what his father said. His face immediately fell when he saw where he was. By leaving the property, Adam had triggered the declination clause. They would lose their inheritance and all those people would be evicted or lose their jobs.

"Oh my God," Dawson whispered, "Adam..."

The boys looked at each other with dread.

"Are you all right?" the judge asked as she approached, still holding the crowbar and hammer.

"You see it!" Artie said to the judge as he pointed at Adam sitting on the ground on the Santos side of the fence, "He left the property! He loses his inheritance!"

The judge stopped about five feet from the boys. She put her fists on her hips, still holding the tools. She turned toward Artie.

"Mr. Jameson, your first concern should really be for the welfare of your son," the judge lectured him.

Dawson crossed the fence line, leaned down, and was helping Adam to his feet.

"I'm ok," Adam said to Dawson with a somber tone as he stood up.

Adam brushed himself off. He could feel a desperate ache in the pit of his stomach as he processed what happened. He knew he had gone across the fence line. His father, as much as he didn't want to admit it, was right.

The judge looked at the boys and then back again at Artie. Artie was licking his lips as he grinned in Adam's direction. Judge Lynch took a couple steps closer to Adam.

"Are you hurt, Adam?" the judge said.

"No," Adam said as he felt his eyes start to water.

The emotions of losing the inheritance and having the declination clause kick in were about to overwhelm him. The judge turned toward Artie.

"He didn't cross the property line, Mr. Jameson," the judge said to Artie.

Dawson was helping Adam as they stepped back onto the Jameson side of the fence. They both stopped and looked at the judge with their mouths open. They couldn't believe what she was saying.

"But I saw him!" Artie said, "He was on the other side of the line!"

"What you saw, Mr. Jameson, was your son on the other side of the fence line," Judge Lynch explained.

The judge paused for a moment.

"I know for a fact that in this county, any structure, including a fence, must have a five-foot setback from the dividing property line... ten feet if there is livestock involved. Adam was nowhere near five feet beyond the fence line, much less the ten-foot setback I would expect to be required here. Adam was no more than three feet at best over the fence line," the judge explained.

The grin was still on Artie's face, but it was starting to wane.

"Well, you can't prove where the property line actually is. What if my father didn't build the fence with the right setback?" Artie began to argue with the judge.

The boys looked at Judge Lynch for her response.

"Mr. Jameson," the judge said, "Would you come over here, please?"

The judge's gloved hands were still clutching the crowbar and hammer. Artie wasn't sure what the judge was going to do. He was apprehensive about approaching her while she still held the tools. But he went toward her anyway. When he was a few feet away from her, she turned toward the Santos property.

"Do you see that?" the judge said.

She was pointing the hammer toward something on the Santos property. It was three fence posts down and about ten feet in on the Santos property. Artie craned his head and squinted at what she was pointing at.

"It's a boundary marker," the judge said, "I just happened to notice it before I removed those railings. Go ahead. Walk over and take a look."

Adam and Dawson suddenly looked at each other with surprise. Artie looked at the judge momentarily. Then he moved by the boys, without looking at them, so he could get to the other side of the fence. When he got to the marker, he stood there and looked down. The boys watched him. He looked up at the judge and then again at the marker. The boys saw his shoulders slump. His body language said it all.

As Artie approached the fence on his way back, the judge spoke.

"Perhaps it's best if we all forget this nonsense and finish replacing the fence," Judge Lynch said.

Adam's mouth was slightly open as he watched his father pass him on the way back to the cement bucket. Dawson checked again with Adam to make sure he was ok. Adam assured him he was. Dawson picked up the post that had knocked Adam over and put it on the trailer.

They all got back to work. They continued setting the new posts and rails that they had brought with them. As they were moving along the fence line, they were loading the old post and rails into the trailer.

At one point, they all began to feel they were approaching a point where they would need to take a break. The judge looked at her watch and said it was almost 12:30. It was decided they would break and eat the picnic lunch Niven had made for them.

During lunch, Adam kept looking at his father. He still couldn't believe the way his father reacted when he thought Adam had crossed the property line. When they finished lunch, they completed installing the posts and rails they had brought out to the fence line.

Adam and Dawson drove the trailer with the old posts and rails on it back to the house so they could get the rest of the new lumber. While they were gone, the judge and Artie remained at the fence where they left off. The judge tried to get Artie to talk to her.

"Mr. Jameson, I have some questions for you," Judge Lynch said.

Artie looked at her but didn't say anything.

"Why was there a rift in your relationship with your father?" the judge didn't hesitate to bring up a touchy subject.

"I don't think that's any of your business," Artie said.

"Well, the rift between you is in his will as the reason why he didn't make you a beneficiary. If I am to award you his inheritance, I need to know why he did that," the judge said.

Artie looked at the ground and thought about it. He kept staring at the ground as he spoke.

"He killed my mother," Artie said with a somber tone.

"That's a serious accusation. How did he kill your mother?" Judge Lynch said.

Artie paused, then he spoke with anger in his voice.

"When my mother became ill, he could have paid for better doctors to treat her. He had more money than God. He let my mother die," Artie said as he looked at the ground.

The judge was stunned by his statement. It was the logic of a child.

"Sometimes you can't recover from every ailment. And no amount of money can change that," the judge said.

Artie looked up at the judge.

"That is the argument that my father tried. I don't agree," Artie said as he shook his head.

The judge didn't know how to respond to that. She shifted the conversation.

"Your relationship with your son... Is it the kind of relationship you want?" the judge asked.

"My relationship with my son is my business, not yours," Artie said.

"Do you think your behavior today helped your relationship?" the judge asked.

Artie turned so he was no longer facing the judge in an attempt to stop the conversation.

"Mr. Jameson, one of the considerations I must weigh is the impact of my decision. More specifically, whatever I decide, I need to take into consideration what could happen to your relationship with your son," the judge explained.

"That is entirely up to my son. Ask him," Artie said.

"Mr. Jameson," Judge Lynch said with almost a reprimanding tone, "you are not helping your case."

"My case," Artie said as he turned around to face the judge, "is simple. I am the only son of Clayton Jameson. I should be the sole inheritor of his fortune. Any other outcome makes no sense whatsoever."

When he finished talking, he turned away from the judge and started to walk toward the cement mixer. The judge just looked at Artie. She realized she was only going to get more frustrated if she continued to engage with him. She wasn't trained in psychology or psychiatry, but it seemed to her that Artie's emotional development was stunted when his mother died. In some ways, a lot of ways, he was still a five-year-old child.

So they stayed there in silence, waiting for the boys to return.

When the boys had driven the Jeep far enough away from the judge and Artie, Dawson spoke.

"I really thought the judge was lying when she first said you didn't cross the property line," Dawson said.

"I know," Adam said, "That was the first thing I thought, too. I couldn't believe it."

"I'm still amazed at how your father reacted," Dawson said, "Did he think the judge was going to disqualify us and award your granddad's inheritance to him?"

"That's probably what he did think," Adam said, "Sometimes his logic is all screwed up."

Dawson was quiet for a bit.

"You know," Dawson said sadly, "I go back and forth between being mad at him and feeling sorry for him. He clearly needs some serious mental help, but there's no way he'll ever admit that. It's like... he's stuck in this messed up scenario he can't get out of. It's kind of sad really..."

"Welcome to the world of dealing with Artie Jameson," Adam said.

Dawson put his hand on Adam's thigh out of sympathy and kept it there. The boys were quiet for the rest of the ride. After getting back to the house, they unloaded the old posts and rails. They reloaded the trailer with the remaining lumber, so they could finish the fence.

As the boys drove up to the beginning of the fence, they began unloading the new posts and rails and laying them along the fence line as they made their way back to the judge and Artie. When they finally reached them, the judge began, without comment, to remove the old rails like she was doing before.

The group got into their rhythm again, putting up the new posts and rails and loading up the old lumber on the trailer as they made their way down the fence line. When they reached the end, they set the last post.

"Well, that was some workout, wasn't it?" the judge said.

Her hair braid had started to come apart in the back.

"Yeah, it feels good to get that done," Adam said as he swiped his forearm across the sweat on his forehead.

"Mmm," Dawson agreed.

He grabbed the bottom of his shirt and wiped his face with it. Adam's eyes lingered on Dawson's sweaty torso until Dawson dropped his shirt back down.

"What time is it?" Adam asked the judge.

"Almost four," said Judge Lynch as she looked at her watch.

They loaded everything up and the four of them headed back to the house. When they returned, Krantz and Niven came out to help them. Artie got out of the Jeep, didn't say anything, carried his jacket, and went inside. The boys gave each other a look. The judge unloaded the food supplies with Niven, while the boys unloaded the old lumber. Dawson cleaned out the cement mixer while Krantz and Adam dealt with the Jeeps and trailer. The boys thanked Niven, Krantz, and the judge.

"Krantz, can you show us where the emergency supply kits are so we can get that task done?" Dawson said.

"Of course," Krantz said.

"I would like to come with you," Judge Lynch said.

"Certainly," Dawson said.

The four left the garage. Krantz took them to each kit. The boys inspected them and made sure they were complete. They finished and the boys said they would see the judge at dinner as they parted.

The boys knew Artie was in his room, so they entered Dawson's room together. Adam was in front of Dawson. Dawson turned and closed the door. Adam swung around, trapping Dawson up against the closed door. He pressed his body up against Dawson's. They made out passionately. Adam grabbed at Dawson's shirt and started to remove it. Their lips separated. Adam hurriedly pulled Dawson's shirt off. Dawson spoke.

"Babe, we only have, like, 15 minutes," Dawson said.

Adam started kissing him again. Dawson didn't resist. Adam broke their kiss suddenly and then started to take off his shirt.

"Ah!" Adam winced and stopped with his shirt pulled halfway up.

"Oh, babe," Dawson said with sympathy, "Let me help."

Dawson took hold of the shirt. Adam let go of it and gingerly lifted his arms. Dawson lifted the shirt, uncovering Adam's chest. He could see a bruise on Adam's left rib cage.

"Oh, Adam..." Dawson said, "How bad does it hurt?"

"Just a little," Adam said.

He squinted his eyes and pursed his lips when Dawson touched the bruise. As Dawson pulled the shirt off over Adam's head, Adam took in a slight intake of breath.

"Babe," Dawson said, "Let me make sure you didn't bruise or crack a rib."

Dawson gently pressed on the area that looked bruised. Adam winced, but it didn't hurt too bad.

"I don't think anything is broken. But you need to take it easy so it can heal," Dawson said.

"Ok, Doctor Stewart," Adam said with a smile.

Dawson got a caring look on his face as he smiled back at him.

"I'm gonna take a shower," Adam said and then he started to turn.

Adam stopped. He turned back. He came at Dawson and kissed him. Their tongues danced in each other's mouths. Adam gently pressed his sweaty chest against Dawson's. Adam broke the kiss. Dawson smiled.

Adam turned and walked toward the bathroom. Adam showered quickly and while he was drying off, Dawson came in naked. As he went by Adam to get to the shower, Adam reached out and gently cupped and then squeezed one of his ass cheeks. Dawson opened the shower door. As he was closing it, he blew a kiss to Adam. As Dawson began to soap himself, Adam sighed and watched him for a moment. He then went into his room to get dressed. After his shower, Dawson got dressed. Adam was brushing his teeth when Dawson came into the bathroom.

"It's 6:30...." Dawson said, "will you do my hair, babe?"

Adam made a gurgling noise as he acknowledged him. He spit and rinsed as Dawson began brushing his teeth. Adam finished wiping his mouth and came up behind Dawson. He worked on his hair while Dawson brushed. Dawson finished brushing and then waited to spit, until Adam was done.

"Gorgeous," Adam said.

As Dawson leaned over to spit, Adam gripped Dawson's buns with both hands and squeezed.

"Mmmm!" Dawson whined before he spit.

Dawson rinsed and then he turned around as he was wiping his mouth with a towel.

"Mmm, I think my boyfriend is horny," Dawson said.

"He is. Very... I can't wait to get you alone tonight," Adam said as he leaned in.

Adam gave him a closed mouth peck on the lips.

"Um... Someone needs to take it easy tonight. You need to let that bruise heal..." Dawson said.

Adam made a sad face and playfully stuck his tongue out at Dawson. They separated and went into the hallway through their own bedroom doors. With no one around, Dawson slipped his hand into Adam's and they made their way downstairs. As they approached the dining room, they stopped holding hands. When they came in, the judge and Artie were seated and already had wine.

"Sorry, it took a bit longer than we anticipated to clean up," said Adam.

He glanced at his father who looked like he was fuming. The judge had a bemused look on her face as she sipped her wine. Krantz offered the wine pairing and they both accepted. The conversation centered around Elvis, the horses, and the new fence. Everyone avoided talking about the property line incident.

Just before the dessert course, the judge asked about Adam's grandmother's designs. Adam said they could look at them after dinner. After they agreed to do that, Adam looked at Dawson. He was waiting for Dawson to ask if he could join them. But that's not what Dawson did.

"Mr. Jameson," Dawson said, "while they're off looking at designs, how about a game or two of pool after dinner."

Adam tried to cover up his surprise by taking a sip of wine. He couldn't believe Dawson was still trying to create a relationship with his father after what happened at the fence line. Artie barely waited for Dawson to finish his sentence.

"That was my father's game. I never liked it. I don't think so," Artie said with a slightly indignant tone.

Dawson faced forward and caught the judge's eye. He could see a look of sympathy on her face. He fought every urge to turn and look at Adam.

"I was thinking we could go room to room with my grandmother's designs to better see what she envisioned," Adam said, trying to deflect from his father's off-putting response.

The judge's face lit up when Adam said that.

"Dawson, you can join Adam and I, if you like," the judge said.

"Thanks, but maybe I'll go through the will again." Dawson said.

"What are you looking for?" the judge asked.

"I'm looking for the reason why Clayton set up his will the way he did, basically forcing us to stay here for six months in isolation," Dawson explained.

"Mr. Jameson... You should show him some respect and call him Mr. Jameson. Don't call him Clayton," Artie snapped angrily as he looked right at Dawson.

Just then, Krantz came in with the dessert course. While he was serving, he reminded them the next day was Sunday. Niven would be making breakfast to order. Krantz then left through the kitchen entryway.

Adam didn't want to leave his dad's angry comment to Dawson hanging with no response, so he said something.

"Dad, Dawson and granddad had a collegial relationship. He encouraged Dawson to call him Clayton," Adam said.

"Don't contradict me," Artie said as he looked at Adam with venom.

Artie sighed with exasperation. He got up, tossed his napkin onto the table, took his wine glass, and left. There was a minute of silence as Dawson and the judge looked down at the table. Dawson reached out and took Adam's hand into his. Adam looked at him with watery eyes.

"How did you manage to turn out so amazing with a father like that?" Dawson said softly.

"My mom... and my granddad..." Adam said as a tear dropped down his cheek.

Adam sat up and sniffled. He wipes his eyes.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. I'm not angry at my father. I'm just disappointed that I'll never have the relationship with him that I want," Adam lamented.

"Adam, we can look at your grandmother's drawings tomorrow if you'd rather..." the judge said.

"No... No, I want to. It will help, actually," Adam said.

They finished dessert and the three of them went upstairs. Dawson went to the bedroom and found his copy of the will. He left and disappeared downstairs.

Adam retrieved the tablet and the hippo. He met the judge at the office. They collected the drawings and then went room to room. In each room, they took out Sarah's drawings, looked at the space, talked about what they thought would work, and Adam recorded their thoughts on the tablet. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They pushed themselves right up to the point of exhaustion. They still had a number of rooms to do, but they decided to turn in. Adam said good night to the judge in the hallway then he quietly opened his bedroom door.

Adam went into his room, then immediately went through the bathroom to Dawson's room. Dawson wasn't there. Adam got concerned, so he went downstairs to search for him. He found him curled up on the sectional in the living room, fast asleep.

Adam retrieved a blanket from the closet and gently covered Dawson with it. As he was turning off the light on the side table, he saw the will had fallen on the floor next to Dawson. He quietly picked up the will and put it on the coffee table. He grabbed another blanket and snuggled up on the other part of the sectional. The exhaustion of the long day won out very quickly as Adam drifted off to sleep.

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If you like this story, tell me: djwarner1984@hotmail.com And then donate to Nifty: https://donate.nifty.org/

-DJ