December 4, 1999

"Damn you, Sandman!"

Raven dropped to his knees in the middle of the empty ring, head thrown back, his scream of rage, frustration and anguish echoing through the deserted arena. He sagged back onto his heels, head hanging, hair shielding his face as he mumbled and muttered to himself.

*******

Sandman strode through the shadowed hallways, slightly annoyed that he'd forgotten to pick up his gym bag before heading off to the hotel. He'd had to leave Jack Victory, Balls Mahoney and Dreamer in the parking lot, telling them to go on and he'd meet them later.

He was just passing the big double doors leading into the main arena when he heard the scream and his name. He halted, frowning in bemusement. Who'd be in there at this time of night? The ring crew were long gone and there was no one else about. He stepped up to the doors and opened one, slipping inside and stopping in astonishment as he saw Raven kneeling in the ring, one lone spotlight that had been neglected in the crew's rush to get out of there shining down on his dejected form.

Sandman quietly made his way down the aisle until he reached the apron of the ring, resting his hands on the worn canvas and watching the other man intently.

******

Raven stared sightlessly down at his hands which were clenching and relaxing...clenching and relaxing on his thighs. He stiffened suddenly, his head whipping to the side and locking with Sandman's dark ones. They were motionless for what seemed like hours, but must have been only 10 or 15 seconds. Then, Raven's expression changed to one of anger and hatred.

"What the fuck do you want?" he snarled, shaking his hair back from his face.

Sandman looked at him a moment longer without speaking. Then, "I happened to be passing by and heard my name. You called me?"

"No, I was damning you to hell."

He smiled at Raven's words, reaching up to grab the top rope and pull himself onto the apron, crossing his arms over the cable and leaning against them. "Awww, you seem a little down, my man. What's the matter?"

Raven glared at him, hating him with every fiber of his being. "You know I could have beat you tonight, but your fucking ex-wife..." He couldn't even finish the sentence, he was so incensed by the recollection of her betrayal.

Sandman gave a negligent shrug and raised a brow mockingly. "Well, we'll never know that now, will we?"

Raven rose lithely to his feet, starting to pace back and forth like a caged lion, jerking his fingers through his hair in frustration, then whirling on Sandman, hands on lean hips. "I want a rematch," he stated flatly.

Sandman tilted his head to the side, his smile widening slightly. "Sure. You just name the time and place and-"

"Right here. Right now," Raven cut in sharply.

Sandman was silent for a minute, considering his challenge as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Eventually, he straightened. "OK. It's your funeral." He stepped through the ropes, removing his watch and laying it on the canvas near a turnbuckle. "What are the stipulations?"

Raven watched Sandman closely as he moved, eyes narrowed in dislike. "No stipulations. No rules. No winner until one of us gives up."

Sandman nodded, squatting down to loosen up his muscles, rolling his shoulders and shaking out his hands. "I'm ready."

They circled each other warily, neither making the first move until Raven, his fury over-ruling his caution, launched himself at Sandman, bearing him into the ropes where he pummeled him in the gut and throat, shouting curses and insults in his face. The other man choked and threw his hands up to protect himself, trying to catch his breath, but Raven was relentless, rage spurring him on. They staggered from corner to corner, exchanging punishing blows, attempting to put the other down quickly. But the match went on and on, deteriorating from a wrestling match to just a barroom brawl, battering one another ruthlessly.

Sandman abruptly gained the upper hand when he tripped Raven, sprawling him to the mat. He climbed over him, sitting astride his chest, pinning his arms beneath his knees. He took this opportunity to regain his breath, noticing that both their T-shirts had been torn off them and lay bloodied and scattered in shreds all over the ring. He looked at Raven, who was trying desperately to free himself, hurling epithets and gasping with effort.

"Why don't you just give up, sweetie," Sandman advised, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his arm. "You can't win against me. You never could."

Raven growled in pure frustration. "Fuck you. Get off me you fucking mother fucker."

Sandman sighed in mock sadness. "You never did know when to quit while you were ahead...or behind, in this case." He reached down and flicked his nose with a finger. This outraged Raven so much that he gathered his last reserves of strength and pitched Sandman off, about to reverse positions, but Sandman wrapped his muscular arms around Raven's waist and squeezed him in a bearhug, making him groan in pain as his bruised ribs creaked alarmingly. In a desperate move, he maneuvered the other man in a front facelock, forcing his head down and to the side in an awkward position.

"Give up, damn you," Raven wheezed, unable to take a full breath. His only reply was the arms clenching even tighter around him. "Ahh, Christ...oh, Jesus!" he moaned.

Sandman rolled Raven onto his back, releasing the bearhug and gripping his forearms and slowly forcing Raven to loosen his hold. He pinned his wrists to the mat, not really having difficulty keeping them there, Raven having used up his reserves and just lay spread-eagled, panting for air. Sandman waited for him to recover, resting full-length atop him, their bare skin seeming to seal with the heat and moisture.

When Raven opened his eyes after his respiration had somewhat returned to normal, he was greeted with an intense stare from Sandman. "What the hell are you staring at?" he rasped, not having the energy to snarl at him.

Sandman was silent for a while longer, then he smiled strangely, shifting his body so that he was settled more firmly between Raven's spread legs. A glint of amusement sparkled in his eyes as he saw Raven's expression sharpen in surprise. He tucked both of Raven's wrists into one big hand and trailed the free one down his arm, lightly squeezing his bicep before moving on to splay over Raven's chest, feeling the quickening heartbeat beneath his palm. "You hate me." It was a statement, not a question. "But my hatred for you has dimmed over time. I continue to oppose you to try and teach you, boy."

"Teach me what?" Raven spat, unable to stop himself from shivering at Sandman's light touch.

He shook his head at the man beneath him, a soft smile on his lips. "I can't tell you. You must learn from experience. With each lesson I give you, you learn a bit more."

Raven scowled at him. "What the fuck are you talking about, Jim?"

Sandman chuckled and shrugged. "Never mind. Understanding will come in time." He flicked a fingernail over a flat nipple, watching it become hard. "Right now, I have another lesson for you to learn."

Raven glared up at him. "The last thing I need is a lesson from you, you bastard," he replied maliciously, attempting again to escape, to no avail.

"Ahh, but the best lessons are those learned reluctantly. Sticks with you longer that way." Sandman laughed and traced his hand down Raven's stomach, circling his navel. Without preamble, he dropped his hand down to cup the large bulge in his ring shorts, closing his fingers around it and kneading it gently.

Raven hissed in a sharp breath, eyes widening as he felt himself involuntarily tilt his hips into his palm. He bit his lip as Sandman pressed the heel of his hand into the growing bulge, trying to force back the moan that threatened to escape. "Stop it, damn it!" he gasped, twisting against him furiously. He was mortified to find that Sandman had deftly unbuttoned and unzipped his shorts and his own struggling was making it easier for him to tug them down over his bucking hips.

"I'm glad to see you're not wearing underwear," Sandman said approvingly. ""Makes things go much smoother."

Raven opened his mouth to object loudly, but sucked in his breath harshly instead as Sandman grasped his shaft firmly, continuing his ministrations, squeezing and sliding his fingers up and down the length, rubbing the precome into his skin. He arched upward, instinctively wanting to get closer to the pleasurable sensations, moaning despite himself.

"Just go with it, Rave," Sandman whispered, lowering his head to brush his lips against his throat, nipping him hard as he pinched and rolled his balls between his fingers. "Just open yourself up, baby." Abruptly, Sandman rose up and knelt between the widely parted thighs, bending down to lick the tip of his cock, laving it, taking the head into his mouth and sucking it softly.

"Oh, God!" Raven groaned, bringing his arms down to his sides, digging his nails into the rough canvas. "You fuckin' sonofabitch! Why are you doing this...ahhh!" He cried out as Sandman smoothly took him deep, clamping his throat snugly around his flesh, slowly rising and falling in a lazy, sensual rhythm. He simultaneously raked his nails over the skin of his thighs and lower belly and grazed his teeth up the sensitive surface of his cock to catch on the ridge before sinking down and repeating it. Raven writhed in tormented pleasure, his rage and growing desire warring inside him, fighting for supremacy. He nearly went into orbit when Sandman pushed two fingers into him, slick with his saliva, rubbing against his prostate maddeningly. "Aww, Jim...please stop!" Raven begged, burying his hands in Sandman's hair and trying to pull him off, but he resisted, sucking even harder, easing another finger into him. "Noooo, Jim. Don't do this!"

Sandman raised his head and looked at Raven closely and nodded, grinning wickedly. "You're quite right, Hon," he murmured, removing his fingers. "This isn't the way I wanted to end this lesson. Turn over."

Raven shook his head, panting a little, trying to calm down, but it was hard when his cock was throbbing almost painfully from Sandman's tender manipulations. He sat up, wincing slightly as he said, "No. I'm not going to let you-"

With a pleasant smile playing about his lips, Sandman backhanded Raven across the face, knocking him back to the mat with a surprised whimper. Before he could recover, he wrenched Raven onto his stomach, holding him there with an arm across his lower back.

Raven was both pissed and uncertain of the highhandedness of Sandman. He'd never been in this kind of situation before. He knew exactly what he was up to and was a little nervous. He'd always been the one in control of the sex. He'd never been sub and wasn't sure he liked it...especially when the dom was Sandman, the man he loathed. He rose onto his elbows, glaring over his shoulder at his nemesis, who was unfastening his own jeans and yanking them off, spitting into his hand and stroking himself into full erectness. Raven's glare turned into fascination at the sight of Sandman touching himself. He was long and thick and Raven could feel his buttocks clench at the thought of that inside him. He wriggled, attempting to squirm out from under his arm, but he got smacked hard in the ass for his troubles.

"Be still, or I won't let you come," Sandman commanded sternly.

"Let me the fuck up, you crazy bastard." Raven was mortified to hear himself almost whining, the canvas rubbing painfully against his swollen and sensitive cock. This comment earned another smack to his other buttock.

"Quiet, bitch," Sandman said softly. "I can make this good for the both of us or I can make you scream for me to let you come. It all depends on your attitude."

"I don't want this at all," Raven replied, trying to muster his anger, but something else was blocking it. Anticipation. Part of him wanted Sandman to possess him, to master him. He started to speak again and ended up moaning as Sandman leaned down and parted his buttocks, drawing his tongue down the valley to lave the tightly puckered hole thoroughly, darting it inside before straightening, feeling the tremors beneath Raven's skin.

"It doesn't matter what you want or don't want, Raven," Sandman said firmly, guiding the blunt tip of his shaft to Raven's entrance. "It only matters what I demand of you. You will submit to me, my slut." With that said, he pushed into Raven roughly, making him whimper loudly in pain. He gripped Raven's hips to keep him from jerking away as he drove hard and deep until he was fully buried inside him.

Raven gritted his teeth, scratching at the mat, the agony almost unbearable. Gradually, however, the pain lessened and he was able to breathe again. When Sandman drew out of him and sank back in, he hissed in a sharp breath, feeling discomfort, but also feeling a prickle of pleasure.

"Ahh, so good....so tight, birdman," Sandman growled, setting a steady, methodical tempo, tugging at his hips. "Get up on your hands and knees." He was pleased when Raven instantly obeyed, his thick, light hair drifting down over his shoulders, tendrils clinging damply to them and his neck. Sandman leaned over Raven, kissing the nape gently, almost tenderly. "How does it feel to be fucked, Raven, hmmm? How does it feel to be fucked by me, you're mortal enemy?"

Raven couldn't think coherently, the pleasure was overriding everything else in his mind, including his deep hatred for this man. He could only groan and shake his head.

"Rock your hips against me...mmm, yes, like that. Does this feel good, baby?"

Raven answered with gruff sounds in his throat, unable to say anything intelligible. He reached down and began stroking himself frantically.

"Hey, who said you could do that?" Sandman demanded harshly, stopping his languid thrusts to grab his wrist and pull it behind his back. "You don't do anything without my permission, understand?" When Raven only whimpered pleadingly, Sandman swatted him hard on the butt. "Answer me, you little whore."

"Yes. OK. I understand." Raven rocked himself back, wanting him to continue his plunging, but Sandman had other ideas. He pulled out of Raven and told him to turn over. Raven readily obliged, lying on his back and waiting expectantly. Sandman resumed his spot between Raven's legs and slid his hands beneath him, cupping his ass and lifting until his lower body lay in his lap, knees bent up so that the soles of his feet rested flat against the canvas.

"You want me to fuck you, Raven?" he asked hoarsely, caressing his hips and thighs.

Raven sighed and nodded, his erection becoming exquisitely painful.

"Say it, then," he ordered. "This is part of your lesson. Obeying orders."

Raven's instinctual response was to tell him to fuck off, but then Sandman tickled the tips of his fingers up the length of his ultra sensitive shaft and he moaned his name. "Yes...please...Jim, please fuck me. I can't take much more."

Sandman smiled, grasping the root of Raven's cock and tugged slightly. "Oh, I'm sure you can take a lot more, baby. But I'll leave that for next time." He sank into Raven hard, his balls slapping heavily against his ass. Raven arched off the mat, crying out at the dual sensation of being invaded and his cock being stroked.

"Oh, Jim...Jimmy..." Raven moaned, tossing his head back and forth, his hair whipping across his face. "Yessss...more...deeper...oh, please, Jimmy!"

Sandman grinned ferally at the writhing man beneath him, enjoying Raven this way...helpless and begging. This was a side of him that was rarely, if ever, seen. He must endeavor to draw more of this Raven out...only for his private use, of course. To everyone else, he would remain the tortured soul, taking and giving pain equally, not allowing anyone to dominate him...

Sandman's musings were broken off as he felt himself coming. He slowed his pace, wanting to prolong their session just a little longer. He drove deep, angling his thrusts to hit Raven's prostate. He relished Raven's growing cries for release, bending down to seal his lips to his, swallowing his garbled pleas, quickening his rhythmic pumping.

"Mmm, so good, you are, birdman. So ready...hot and ready." He whispered sibilantly into Raven's ear. "Now come...now. Come for me now, baby."

Raven was nearly sobbing with the intense emotions rushing through him. He clutched at Sandman, straining to reach the glorious pinnacle of release. "Ahh, Jimmy...harder...jerk me off harder...I'm coming. Yeah...yesss!"

Sandman sucked in his breath when Raven bucked wildly against him as his orgasm racked his body, spilling his seed over his hand and both their bellies. His insides spasmed around him and he groaned and his own climax began to overtake him. He pounded harder, then shouted as he exploded, jetting his come deep into Raven, who gave a soft moan, his fingers tightening on his arms.

After a long while, when he was able to regain some semblance of strength, Sandman withdrew carefully from Raven, collapsing beside him. He reached out and brushed the hair from Raven's face, seeing that his eyes were closed. He didn't move as he caressed his throat and shoulders. "You learn very well, Rave," Sandman remarked softly.

Raven opened his eyes and turned his head toward his most hated enemy. "I loathe you, you fucker," he hissed just as softly, eyes blazing with resentment.

Sandman was not surprised at Raven's response, knowing that years of hatred and rage wouldn't be erased in one night, but he felt he'd made some progress. He sat up, reaching for his jeans and pulling them on. "Yes, I know you do. But it doesn't change the fact that I own you now. You're mine, Raven."

Raven sat up, raking his hair from his eyes, snarling angrily, "I don't belong to anyone but myself, Jim. Just because you got a little fuck out of me doesn't mean that you're-"

"You're master?" Sandman finished, towering over the other man, hands on hips, a condescending smile on his face. "But I'm afraid it does, love. That wasn't just 'a little fuck'. That was a battle of wills and the winner takes all...and I won."

Raven yelled a curse at him and launched himself at his adversary...only to be kicked in the gut and knocked backward with a kneelift to the chin. Raven lay nearly senseless on the floor, nursing his bruised ribs, gagging with the excruciating agony.

"Just remember who's your master, Rave, honey." With that, he turned on his heel and, after retrieving his watch, left the ring and the arena.

Raven rolled onto his stomach and indulged in an old fashioned temper tantrum, slumping exhaustedly after 15 minutes. When he could drag himself to his feet, he put on his shorts and left, vowing that he'd get his revenge. Sandman would learn who was the real master.

Read story #2 Training GRound in her The Learning Tree series