Family Matters, Chapter 15
As Rory and Austin were hanging up their coats in the mudroom, Landon asked them if they'd like a cup of hot chocolate. Both of them readily accepted the offer.
Seeing Landon and Michael puttering in the kitchen clad only in sleeping shorts, Rory thought it was just as well that Grandma hadn't taken them up on the offer of living there on a permanent basis. It wasn't that he didn't love her and want her around, but it certainly was enjoyable to reside in an all-male home where one could walk around nearly naked without any qualms. The sight of their lean, toned bodies made him all the more certain that he wouldn't be too tired to mess around with Austin when they finally got to bed.
"How did I luck out and get a boyfriend who's a complete romantic?" Austin asked, as he nuzzled Rory's neck in the bedroom a few minutes later.
"Who, me?"
"Yes, you! You serenaded me in the crisp air with gently falling snowflakes. How romantic is that? I'm surprised that a string orchestra didn't pop up on the parkway to back you up."
"Was I that over the top?"
"No, you were wonderful. At the risk of sounding corny, I'd love it if you sang to me out walking every night."
"It would be better if we'd do a duet. You have a good voice, you know"
"I'd be fine with that."
"Not to change the subject, but do you wanna take a quick shower?"
"Are you up for more than a quickie?"
"Yup; we can shower quickly and then we'll take our time messing around," Rory promised.
After they got cleaned up, they snuggled in Rory's bed making out for several minutes. Eventually, they jacked each other to a great climax. As soon as they'd mopped up the residue, they fell asleep spooned together.
For New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Landon and Michael planned a small gathering which included Marian, Jennifer, and Austin. They would have asked Mildred, but she was going to the country club with Terry and Marie as she traditionally did.
Jennifer had been hesitant about taking them up on the offer, saying that she should take a turn entertaining, but the men pointed out that they had more space for everyone and that she could sleep over so that none of them would have to be out on the streets with others who might have been drinking too much.
"We have several spare bedrooms, and you'd be the only one using the main upstairs bath since Marian's room has its own as ours does, and the boys will be using the one in the basement." Landon told her. "This way, everyone has their own space. If you stay over, we can all get a little looped if we want. We'll have dinner around 1:00 on the first. If you're worried about missing a Skype session with Ron, you can bring your laptop and use it in the privacy of your bedroom."
"I see you've thought of everything," Jennifer blushed, wondering if they suspected what she and Rod might do while using Skype. "I do enjoy your company very much. Some of my friends from school evidently feel strange about inviting me for holidays when Ron is overseas. I'm not sure why that is, but I suppose they're uncomfortable in having me celebrate when my husband is in harm's way. I know he doesn't expect me to stay home. By the way, he's really grateful that you're looking out for Austin and me.
As you know, my mother taught me never to go anywhere for a meal empty-handed. I need to contribute to the celebration. What may I bring for dinner?"
"If you'd make a fresh cranberry relish and a sweet potato casserole like you did for Christmas, that would be great, but it's not necessary."
"Yes it is; you didn't grow up in my mother's house!"
When Jennifer and Austin arrived at 7:30 on New Year's Eve, they came bearing not only the relish and casserole for dinner the next day, but a couple of bottles of white wine as house gifts and a bottle of Champaign for a toast later in the evening. They also brought a small crock pot full of warm Parnassian and artichoke dip with tortilla chips for scooping it up.
Landon ushered them into the kitchen where he put their snack on the breakfast bar along with the things Michael and he had fixed to nibble on. Further down the line, there were choices of soft drinks and wine.
"This looks like a feast!" Jennifer exclaimed. "I'm glad we don't have to start any weight-loss resolutions until tomorrow."
"You don't need to lose an ounce!" Marian said. "I don't think anyone in this group has a weight problem. Besides, most of these are actually pretty healthy, in moderation."
"I do try to eat right, and Austin burns off every calorie he takes in during swimming season. He's like the bottomless pit!"
"Hey, talk about me like I'm not here, why don't you?" Austin teased. "By the way, where's my boyfriend?"
"Go down and roust him out," Landon suggested. "He was searching for some videos he thought you guys would like to watch. He probably didn't hear you come in."
Austin crept quietly down the stairs to find Rory. He could scarcely see because the recreation room was lit by only a tiny lamp near the sofa. He was about to call out Rory's name, when he was "attacked" from behind.
"Way to go! You probably scared me out of a year's growth!" Austin joked as he melted into Rory's arms.
"Something tells me you're happy to see me," Rory said, running his right hand over Austin's bulge.
"I am, but if you make me any happier, we won't be able to go up to fill our plates without being embarrassed."
After a couple of minutes, the boys got their body parts under control enough to join the adults upstairs.
If the boys were eager to escape adult company and do their own thing, they didn't show it. They participated in several rounds of "Five Crowns" while snacking and making conversation with their elders.
A little after 11:00 p.m. the Skype connection came through, allowing everyone to exchange greetings with Ron. They all drank a Champaign toast to him before the men suggested that Jennifer and Ron might like to continue their conversation in private.
Marian had already declared that she had been up long enough, so she excused herself shortly thereafter. Landon and Michael bade the boys a goodnight, and after allowing them to top up their flutes, took the rest of the bottle up to the master bedroom with them.
Finding themselves alone at last, Rory and Austin grinned at each other.
"Let's send Charlie out to do his duty and then we can drink the rest of this slowly while we get naked," Rory suggested.
"That sounds like a plan to me," Austin agreed.
After Charlie was settled for the night, the boys carried the last of their wine downstairs where they stripped one another while waiting for the water in the shower to get warm.
Minutes later, when they were clean, dried off, and cuddling naked in bed, Rory nudged Austin onto his back and took the lead. He had recently discovered a gay fiction site and wanted to try something he'd read about. He stretched out on top of Austin using his knees and elbows to bear most of his weight, but allowing gravity to keep their bodies in firm contact. Since they were very close in size and proportions, all their sensitive parts were nestled closely together.
For several minutes, they kissed and squirmed – lips stimulating lips, nipples exciting nipples, and, best of all, erections trapped side by side.
"Oh Rory, this is so good! Where did you learn it?"
"On the `net; I'll show you the site if you want."
"Later! Right now, I don't want to stop what we're doing."
They didn't stop until after they had created a big puddle of boy juice all over their abs. Even then, they kept kissing and sucking one another's tongue until they were satiated.
"I can feel cum beginning to ooze down my sides. How are we gonna clean this mess up?" Austin asked, hoping Rory would come up with the solution he wanted.
"Unless you think it's too gross, I could turn around the other way and we could, um, use our tongues."
"Cool! I hoped you'd say that."
After they'd ingested the bulk of their combined loads, they turned on their sides. Being in a more or less 69 position, Rory decided to take it one step further. He held Austin's semi-hard dick and licked off the remaining drops, gently milking out a little more. Austin moaned in pleasure and followed suit.
"Maybe sometime we'll get our protein directly from the source," Austin said.
"I'd like that," Rory agreed.
They drank one more toast, draining their glasses, before settling down to sleep.
The next morning was a rather laidback one. Landon and Michael awoke at a reasonable hour because Corbin let them know he was up. They put him between them in bed and he went back to sleep for another 45 minutes or so. It was enough time for his fathers to get a bit more rest.
Eventually, they got up to feed their nestling, let Charlie out, and start the coffee. The aroma of freshly brewed java brought Jennifer down to the kitchen first, followed by Marian a few minutes later.
The boys eventually came up for breakfast with hair still damp from their shower. The loving looks they shared let the adults know that their relationship hadn't waned in the least.
New Year's Day passed quietly, with dinner and a bit of TV. Around 4:00, Jennifer got ready to go home. She thanked her hosts effusively, vowing to do a payback when Ron returned and they moved back into their own home.
Austin was hesitant to leave, but knew that begging his mother to let him stay wouldn't do any good. If anything, it would make him seem less mature and might jeopardize the freedoms he already enjoyed.
He openly kissed Rory on the lips before they departed, reinforcing the fact that they were a couple.
"You're really in love with that young man," Marian grinned at her grandson.
"Yes, I am. I felt close to him the minute I met him and the bond has only grown stronger in the months I'm known him. Do you think we have a chance of staying together?"
"Sixteen is way too young to know your heart. It will never last!"
"Are you serious, Grandma?"
"No, I'm quoting what our parents said to your grandpa and me. We were 15 when we started `seeing' each other. No one in our community thought we would last through college. We celebrated our 32nd anniversary before he passed away, and we were still as much in love as we'd been as teenagers. So, you see, it's possible. Austin is a very nice young man; I'm in your corner."
"Thanks!"
The first school day of the new year came a bit too quickly for those who had stayed up to celebrate on New Year's Eve. However, that applied to staff as well as students, so there was less pressure than there might have been.
Swimming practice after school did tire out most of the team regardless of what shape they were in. Coach Morgan didn't push his boys too much, but he was pleased to see that they pushed themselves pretty hard. With that kind of drive, it could turn out to be a good season.
When Austin and Rory headed for Jennifer's room to get their ride home, Rory was stopped by Thad's buddy, Evan, along the way.
"I need to talk to you alone," he announced.
"Okay, I guess. I don't have much time because Mrs. Banks is my ride."
"This will take only a minute. Follow me."
They went into a nearby restroom that appeared to be deserted at that time of day. Austin waited outside since he'd been summarily dismissed by Evan.
"Over vacation, I visited my cousin who goes to Central. He says that you're a faggot and most of the people there knew it. I want you to tell coach Ferguson that you've changed your mind about being on the football team."
"That's bullshit!" Rory exclaimed. "First, not that many people at Central knew me well enough to judge my sexuality. Second, who do you think you are to tell me how to live my life or what sports to play? If I'm queer as a three dollar bill, whose business is it? Does my orientation have anything to do with you?"
"Yeah, it does. I don't want you turning my friends gay!"
"Much as the right-wing idiots claim that it's part of the `gay agenda' to recruit, it's simply not true. Besides, you can't make a straight guy gay anymore than you can make a gay guy straight. Gay or straight, we are BORN that way."
"Then you admit being gay."
"I'm neither confirming nor denying. It's simply none of your business, as I've already said!"
"Leave him the fuck alone!" came a voice from one of the toilet stalls.
"Thad, is that you; what are you doing here?"
"Yeah, it's me, Evan, and I was taking a shit. Isn't that what this place is for?" Thad said, opening the door. "Rory's a great place-kicker and a good guy, so back off!"
"What's with you? Have you turned into a faggot too?"
"Nope, I've always been exactly who I am."
"Are you saying that you're gay?"
"Could be."
"You can't be gay too."
"Who says? Are you my keeper? I'm getting tired of living a lie. I made a New Year's resolution about being honest, so I broke up with Dawn this noon. That's why I wasn't at lunch."
"You fuckin' dumped the hottest girl in school?"
"I didn't dump her. We parted ways. It wasn't fair to her. I was kinda using her as cover and I'm really ashamed of that."
"Good for you," Rory said. "It takes a lot of courage to come out."
"Thanks, Rory. Would you consider going on a date with me?"
Austin, who had become concerned that Rory was still in the bathroom with Evan, entered quietly, just in time to hear Thad's invitation. He held his breath for the answer.
"Thad, I'm flattered that you'd like to go out with me, but I already have someone."
"Is it Austin? I see you two hanging around a lot."
"It is!" Austin announced. "I know Rory wouldn't out me, so I'm gonna do it myself. He and I are boyfriends, or at least I hope we still are."
"You know we are," Rory replied, taking Austin into his arms and kissing him on the cheek.
"Eew! This is disgusting!" Evan exclaimed. "What a bunch of fuckin' losers!"
"Austin, I apologize for hitting on Rory," Thad said, ignoring Evan's dramatic reaction. "I should have guessed. I hope you guys will be my friends and help me adjust to my new situation. I'm sure Evan isn't the only one who'll desert me."
"Fuck all of you!" Evan yelled, as he ran out the door.
"He might have had a chance at fucking if he'd have played his cards right," Thad joked. "Well, at least with me. I've always thought he had a cute ass."
"Seriously, Thad, we may all be in for harassment," Rory shook his head. "I'm sorry that I had to be the one to bring it to a head. If I had only kept my mouth shut and done what he wanted me to do..."
"No," Thad interjected. "I had all the same as come out to Dawn today anyway. I told her it wasn't her fault; that girls just didn't do that much for me, any girls. I couldn't fake it anymore, and she was ready to, um, jump my bones."
"I'm tired of hiding too," Austin agreed. "I'm getting comfortable enough about telling my dad when he comes home. I don't care what anyone at school thinks. Like you guys, I have to be me."
"So, you guys are partly out to your families?" Thad asked.
"My mother and stepfather pitched me for being gay; so, yeah, everyone in my family knows." Rory said. "Grandma's okay with it."
"Mom knows, and she's been great about it. She even approves of my boyfriend," Austin giggled.
"I wish I could count on that kind of reception at home," Thad sighed.
Austin and Rory headed for the cafeteria as soon as they were dressed after practice the next morning. They were starved and ready to devour whatever the place was serving for breakfast.
As they passed through the line, they saw Thad sitting alone off in the corner and decided to join him.
"Whoa, what happened to you?" Rory asked.
"My father didn't exactly give me a hero's welcome last night," Thad said, quietly.
"That's a nasty bruise on your face. Is anything broken?"
"Nope, that's it. I didn't see that one coming, but I deflected the rest. He threw the first punch, but I got the last ones in. I guess he forgot about all the years he taught me how to fight back if I was ever attacked. He might have to have surgery, depending on how things heal the next couple of days. If they have to remove one of his nuts, that's gonna hurt his masculine pride."
"Are you being charged with anything," Rory asked. "I mostly dodged Ralph and got the hell out because I didn't want to end up in juvie. I knew my mother would take his side."
"What I did was what I felt I had to do in order to protect my family as well as me. My mom and Teddy vouched for me to the police. My dad had already threatened Teddy, and slapped Mom around before I got home. He blamed her for making me gay."
"How did he hear about you coming out that fast?" Austin frowned.
"Dear, sweet Dawn called him the minute he got home because she wanted him to `talk me out of being gay' or something like that."
"So, are you going to have to find somewhere to live?" Austin asked. "I'll bet there are several teachers who'd put you up. Mom might consider it, um, if my boyfriend would let me share my room with you."
"I have no problem with that because I trust you," Rory smiled. "We all have to help each other out when we can. Logan and Michael have big hearts and lots of room too. They might take you in, with my boyfriend's permission, of course."
"It's great of you guys to look out for me, but I think it's my father who will be looking for a place to stay. He's evidently been abusing Mom for a while and she's been covering it up. It wasn't until he threatened Teddy and hit me that she realized she had to make some big changes. She's filing for a civil protection order today."
By lunchtime, the gossip mill was abuzz with speculation about Thad, Austin, and Rory. No one was certain what to believe.
Thad figured his football buddies might shun him, and he was ready to squeeze into a spot near Austin, but Paul greeted him as he always did and so the two of them sat in their usual spots. Evan came in a few minutes later and stood near the table trying to get everyone's attention.
"No queers are allowed here!" he announced, loudly.
"Then where do you plan to sit?" Paul asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"You know who isn't welcome at this table." Evan sneered.
"I know that you're making yourself unwelcome," Zach Estling said. "Either sit down and shut up or find someplace else to land."
"You guys don't care if Thad's turned into a fudge-packer?"
"If he's not packing my fudge, it's none of my business," Zach answered.
"But, he's turned into a dirty homo!" Evan yelled loud enough to be heard by at least half the students in the place.
"Take a chill-pill." Paul advised.
"Evan Hagan, bring your tray and come with me," one of the teachers on lunch duty said. "You know the rules about using slurs at school."
"It's no slur, it's what he is! Thad Walker is a FAGGOT!"
"That is quite enough. We're going to the main office!"
"Like hell I am! Here, you eat this shit!" Evan yelled, as he shoved the tray at Mr. Grimes, nearly dumping the food on him before running out of the cafeteria.
Thad sat with his head in his hands. He was a big, strong, strapping young man, but at the moment he felt small and vulnerable. Paul put an arm around his shoulder. Others of his teammates got up to pat his back or "punch" his shoulder. Eventually, his face brightened as he realized he still had friends.
Author's notes: Hey faithful readers, thanks to Wayne, Paul R, Tony W, Johan D, Peter M, Chandra B, Ott H, Dick M, Bill K, Douglas and Lawrence, Bill T, Walt S, Mendy D, Jon S, CJ A, Tom A, Trish R, any anyone I may have accidentally omitted. I appreciated hearing from you.
As you can see, postings are a little off of the original schedule. I'll still try to post at least once a week. I'm afraid some later chapter may be a cliffhanger, so I reserve the right to post the following one a little sooner than normal. I hate long waits in cases like that and I know some of you do too.
I'm not a country music fan, but the song on the site listed below is rather to my liking. I think it transcends genre lines.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/blake-mciver-releases-beautiful-marriage-equality-ballad_55a55dd8e4b0896514cf7cc0?
As always, donate if you have the means at your disposal, be kind to your neighbors, and do what you can to make the world a better place.
My best to you,
David