Someone suggested that on the big board originally. That the guys weren't holding hands per se, but that Ennis was doing the old 'reach around' to help his lover out and Jack was showing him where to go...
I don't think Ennis would have done that on his own. Jack would have had to guide him.
That might have been too much for Ennis that early on. For their first encounter it might have been safer to get Ennis off then to try and make Ennis get him off. It's like, it would've implied that he was interested in Jack's dick which could've meant all kinds of things (like he was queer).
I agree, but Jack started out the scene by placing Ennis's hand there. In the heat of the moment, would he be doing all that much reflecting on Ennis's delicate sensibilities?
I forgot that Jack puts Ennis' hand on his hardon initially. The other thing to remember is that they were both kind of drunk, at least drunk enough to lower inhibitions.
As far as Jack guiding Ennis in, in the story there is that reference to not needing a guide book even though they'd never done it before. In a situation like that so much of it is unspoken...hell I guess that happens with a lot of first time sex in general.