***. Standard disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to people or events is purely coincidental. Locations within Florida have been used by the author to create the setting.
Don't read if you shouldn't because you're under 18 or live in an area where it would be illegal.
I appreciate all the positive comments and constructive feedback I've been receiving. This is a prequel to the story Nailed It published on Nifty. I decided to post the first chapter as a teaser. More chapters will be added in a few months. Be sure to watch for the sequel hopefully by summer's end. Please continue to email me at mastersounder2015@gmail.com. Enjoy the story!
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Hard As Nails: Ch 1: Beginnings
Victoria wrapped her pink and blue flowered sarong around her nude body as she headed for the front of the house to answer the door. The 15-year-old had the same shade of red hair as her father with dark blue eyes. She was of a fair complexion but tanned easily in the Florida sun. She was just finishing her freshman year at the 9th-grade Center. As she swung open the door she flashed a great big smile at the boy she had dated for the past 6 months. Jared Marx stood there with a grin of his own.
"Evening Vicki, 2 double pepperonis with onions, 2 sausage and mushrooms, and 2 white pizzas."
"Dad the pizzas are here!"
"Be there in a minute," her dad called from his study under the stairs.
"Would you please put them on the table there please?"
"Sure, Vicki. Is this a snack or a full our rave tonight?"
"Just a family dinner. You're welcome to join us. Dad and Pops like you." "Yeah well, it's Friday night and we're slammed with orders. I grabbed your order from Debbie as I wanted to see you one last time before your move tomorrow. I'm sure going to miss you."
"Arcadia isn't that far away. I want to try to stay in touch with friends here too."
"Yeah well, it's hard to do that sometimes. You know we get involved with sports and then work and schoolwork. Not sure how much time either of us will have to keep up." Jared was feeling awkward when Vicki's Dad came out of his study.
"Hi, Coach Reed! Just wanted to say bye once more and thank you for the great job you did both as my coach and as my algebra teacher."
Victoria was annoyed by his comments about how hard it would be to keep up so she through a parting shot of her own knowing it would annoy Jared. "Oh Dad, glad you came to pay the "pizza boy." He's got a busy schedule." She intentionally spit out the phrase "pizza boy" label as venomously as she could.
"Jarhead, that was very kind of you. I'm going to miss you guys as well. I'll be following the team from afar. How much do we owe you? Buy 5 get one free Coach it's $85."
Clay pulled a crisp $100 bill from his wallet and handed it to the teen. "Keep the change Jarhead. You drive safely."
"Will do Coach. Tell Vicki I say bye." He jumped down off the porch and loped over to his car as Clay shut the door.
"Dinner Roll Call!" he bellowed. Three doors on the second floor sprung open. Four naked teenagers rushed down the steps. "House Rules for dinner," Clay hollered. "Where's your sister?"
"Which one?" Fifth asked.
"The younger one, Fifth."
"Oh, she's helping Pops out in his studio."
"AJ, go tell Pops and Giitte dinners here."
"Yes sir." Andrew Joseph answered and headed out the front door while his brothers grabbed their sarongs for dinner and wrapped them around their waists.
Clay smiled as he thought about all the good times they had as a family in this house. He walked into the dining room and took his seat at the far end of the table. Victoria has set the pizzas on the buffet behind him. She was in the kitchen now getting the salad and the drinks.
"What's keeping Pops?" Erik asked. "He's usually really quick to come in for dinner."
Gunnar responded, "Gitte is helping him wrap that display piece. He doesn't want it to break when it's loaded and shipped to the new office."
"She's the right one for that job. Miss it's got to be perfect," Erik quipped.
"Perhaps you should take a moment to appreciate what your sister does around here for you boys, especially you Erik. Aren't you the one that can't find his homework all the time?"
The blond 13 ear old lowered his eyes. "Yes Sir."
Gitte bounced into the dining room wrapped in a bright purple sarong just as Vic rolled the serving cart into the room. "Let me help you, Sis." She grabbed the salad plates and started passing them around the table. Sean watched from the hall as the family gathered. Victoria Elizabeth Reed (Vic) was their eldest. She had been born on June 15 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was now 15 years old. She was growing into a real beauty. Intelligent, forthright. She could marshal her siblings including Fifth.
Birgitte Sophia Walls (Gitte) arrived a week later on June 22, after they had arrived back in Florida. Her strawberry blond hair was pulled back by a yellow scrunchy to go with her purple sarong. It was her way of showing support for the local Orlando Women's Soccer team. Her hazel green eyes took in every detail. She loved to draw and create art in a variety of different media already. She stood a little over 5'8' just slightly taller than her older sister.
Leon Clayton Reed, V, known affectionately as Fifth by the family was born in Altamonte Springs, Florida on May 19 at 11:58 PM. His twin Andrew Joseph Reed arrived 5 minutes later, on May 20 at 12:03 AM. Both were now 14. The boys had their father's red curly hair and sparkling blue eyes. Fifth was built solidly like his father and was active in football and weightlifting. He was just a bit shorter than his twin which was a point of contention between the two. They were always comparing sizes. Sean smirked as he imagined they probably even compared their cocks too. AJ had a slimmer build, but it was his height, already at 6 feet tall, and agility that made him a great basketball player. He also enjoyed swimming. Fifth had to work harder at academics too. AJ was a natural student. He already spoke Spanish fluently and was taking an online course in Japanese.
Erik Alexander Walls (Alex) arrived on June 18 as did his brother Gunnar Adonis Walls (Gun). They were fraternal twins. Erik was more robust and had grown over the years to a tall 6'1" blond god. It was ironic that Gunnar got the name of Adonis. His strawberry blond locks were curlier than either his father's or his brother's. They were both 14 years old too. Alex loved to play games on this PC. He also was an excellent card shark and pool player. He excelled at gymnastics and was going to try out for one of the cheerleading spots reserved for males at their new school. Gun stood at 6 feet. He was quieter than his siblings and into nature, meditation, and animal husbandry.
Feeling extremely content and proud of their family Sean finally made his entrance a moment later dressed in a black leather kilt.
Fifth whistled. "Pops, if I knew we were going formal tonight I'd have dressed too." He grinned at his father.
"You dress! Surely you jest. Aren't you the one who we can't keep clothes on? I mean ever since you were a baby you wanted to be naked."
"I recall having to bring Pops and Dad paper towels all the time because we'd find spots where he'd peed or pooped."
"Yeah, our dogs were better trained," Clay threw in. Everyone laughed. "Whose turn is it to say grace tonight?" Five hands pointed at Gunnar.
The lanky blond with sparkling green eyes reached out his hands to take those of his father and brother as the family prepared to pray.
"Father, we give our thanks for the food that stays our hunger; for rest that brings us ease; for this home and our new home where memories linger. We give our thanks for these. Amen."
"Well done son," Sean squeezed his youngest son's hand. The rest of the siblings were already tearing into the pizza.
"Thanks, Pops. Ah, can I speak with Dad and you after dinner?"
"Sure Gunnar, we'll make time for you. Care to give me a hint?"
"It's kinda personal and I don't want everybody," he looked right at Fifth, "ragging on my case."
"Understood. We'll meet in the study." The two were the last at the picked-over pizzas. Sean leaned over and whispered into his husband's ear, "Gunnar needs us after dinner in the study. He says it's personal." Farm Boy nodded his understanding while chewing on a piece of his white pizza.
Dinner conversation centered on the final stages of the move to Arcadia. Everyone had a few things left to pack. Papu Alex and Uncle Nick would be over Monday to supervise the movers who were bringing the final boxes and a few pieces of furniture that had not already been moved down to Arcadia.
"Dad, are they really done with all the construction on the new wings?" Andrew asked.
"Andrew Joseph Reed, how many times do I have to tell you. Yes, Uncle RJ says the contractors moved out Wednesday and the landscapers worked yesterday and today laying the new sod. Everything is ready for us to move in tomorrow."
AJ responded, "Yeah but they sure took their time building the quad."
"Uncle RJ says he had them make a new sign for your old wing Dad. Is it really going to be called the Estrogen House now?" Vic inquired.
"It's going to be strange not visiting Grandma and Grandpa there," Brig commented.
"They're just down the road. You could run down and visit anytime."
"We can drive down!" Fifth chipped in.
"Leon Clayton Reed, V, in your dreams! Jog down is more like it," Clay chided. "You could always join me for my morning 5-mile run. We could stop for a coffee and whatever Mom has baked before heading back."
"Fifth run 5 miles a day! That would be something to see," Alex chimed in. "Vic, you going to join me in trying out for the cheerleading squad next week?"
"And to answer your question Vic, you and Gitte can name the place yourselves."
"They got the better deal," Gunnar stated. "They have that big kitchen, TV room, and fireplace."
Sean teased, "Poor babies, you each will have a large bedroom and "private" bathroom. You have a kitchenette, TV room and billiards room. Of course, we could have just put bunk beds in the existing bedrooms in the main house. Vic and Brig would of course share a closet easily. We could have put Alex in with AJ and Fifth with Gunnar."
A chorus of "Yuck, no thanks, and you wish," comments resounded around the table.
Sean chuckled, "Farm Boy maybe we should set up one of those bedrooms in the main house with bunk beds to use when they start squabbling with each other. A week or two or three would make them appreciate sharing."
"Great idea Chief! Sounds like a good plan. What do you kids think?"
Vic gave her father the look. "You two think you're funny. Ha, Ha. I'm content with your old loft."
"As long as they got Uncle RJ's old carpet out, I'll be very happy in my room."
"Still don't think it's fair that Fifth and Alex got the bedrooms on the main floor while Gunnar and I have to share the second level."
"Look at this way AJ, you each have a private screened porch with each of your rooms. They don't'. You also have the billiard room on the second level. Who watches more TV and raids the fridge all the time?
"FIFTH," the siblings shouted.
"And who watches TV to all hours of the night?"
"FIFTH and ALEX."
Who plays pool every chance he gets?"
"AJ"
"Who sits and stares at the natural world for hours writing poetry and songs?"
"GUNNAR."
"So you're each in rooms that will afford you easy access to some of your favorite things. But you'll always see each other and us at 6 PM," Clay concluded.
"Unless there is a game or practices runs late. Or there's a faculty or PTA meeting, tennis match, swim meet," Sean added giving his own look to each of the 7 people sitting around him.
"OK Pops," we will try to do better in Arcadia," Fifth replied.
"There he goes being Mr. Mansplaining again," Vic noted sarcastically. "He forgets he's only the oldest boy, not the oldest offspring."
"Enough," Clay hollered banging his fist on the table. He flashed back to how many times his dad did the same thing to his siblings and him. "Vic you made a great salad tonight. I enjoyed the change to spinach leaves over the Iceberg or arugula. Gentlemen, the ladies prepared and served the meal. You know the drill."
"Sir! Yes, Sir!" sounded around the table. Before long the second trip to the pizza boxes had emptied them completely. The salad was devoured as well.
As they finished eating each of the boys cleaned up their plates and the dining room. The girls went back to packing. Sean and Clay went to the study. Sean thought back to the first time he had been in the room. He and Clay had an argument and he found himself sleeping on the couch that was there. So much had happened over the past 18 years. There was a knock at the door and Gunnar entered and closed the door behind him.
Clay swallowed hard. Closed-door discussions were reserved for serious topics. Or at least serious in the mind of the child coming to them. "What's on your mind Gunnar?"
The teen sat down on the couch facing his fathers who were seated in their reading chairs. His feet and fingers were fidgeting. He looked around the room for a minute or two then looked first at Sean then at Clay. `When did you know you were gay?"
Sean took the lead, "Actually, I can't put a precise date on it. Nor do I think I could put a label on what my sexuality was until I was 10, or so. I just knew I wasn't like my brothers."
Clay added, "Growing up in Arcadia, going to school, sports, and the ranch work, I was older. I'd say around your age now, 13 almost 14 years old."
"Well, ah... I think I'm gay. I'm not like Fifth, Alex, or AJ. I'm, I'm.... Oh, I'm not sure what I am. But last winter after one of the gym classes, I was showering, and I got hard as nails looking at all the other naked penises." He sat back on the couch blushing and closing his eyes. "As you know my brothers and I are more endowed than other guys our age. Anyhow others started getting erections too. A few of the guys even jacked off a bit. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I got teased for a few days, but it passed. I make a real effort not to compare or look. I make more of an effort not to ger hard in the showers again.
Sean moved to sit beside him and put his arm around his son's shoulders. Then turning the boy's face toward his and staring directly into his eyes he said, "I am so immensely proud of you. It took a lot of courage and strength to come to talk to us about what you're feeling and experiencing."
Clay moved to sit on the floor at Gunnar's feet. "I need to second that Gun. I stayed in the closet for years because well, it just wasn't out there like it is today. I often wondered if I was the only gay guy in Arcadia. Turns out there are many LGBT persons there. But at the time, I didn't know it."
"I just don't want to be called a faggot, or a pansy or whatever other slurs they hurl around."
"Gun, there will always be bullies. Do you know whose opinion matters the most? Sean asked. The teen looked at his father with questioning eyes. "Yours." "You do know Gun, that Pops and I have your back. If you're gay, you're gay. We will always love you no matter what."
"I know Dad. I just don't know what to expect. Maybe I think too much."
"Yeah, you're our thinker. Dad and I have known that for years. But don't overthink things either," Sean counseled.
"Do you know what I'd like?"
"Winning lottery numbers," Sean quipped.
"Those too,' the teen replied giving his father his own look with rolled eyes. "I'd like to know more of your stories. You know.... what was it like back in the day before you met each other. It may give me an anchor when something happens that I can say to myself, This happened to Pops;' or, Dad went through this same thing.'"
"That's going to be a long discussion, Gun. One we can't accomplish tonight," Clay replied.
"Or in several nights," Sean added. "I'm driving the pickup down to Arcadia tomorrow. How about you ride with me while Dad drives the van with the rest of the crew. I can at least start to share part of my story with you and answer whatever questions you have about what I experienced."
Gunnar threw his arms around Sean and kissed him. Then he did the same to Clay. "I know I can always count on both of you. I love you so much!"
"We love you too Gun," Clay added as Sean nodded. "Now let's get cracking on that packing." The three stood and walked out of the office. Sounds poured from the second floor, Vic was listening to country music, Fifth had a baseball game playing, AJ was listening to rock. Gitte was playing jazz and Alex had some sort of rap beat coming from the room he shared with Gunnar. Gun ripped off his sarong as he tore up the stairs and into his room. Farm Boy took Sean's hand, "Sir, do we have time for a quicky in the shower?"
Sean laughed, "Talking about sex put you in the mood. Go get cleaned out, I need to do some plowing myself." Clay headed to the bedroom as Sean turned off the lights their children had left on all over the first floor. He started thinking about how much and what he would share with Gunnar beginning tomorrow. Then he headed for the shower and the first sexual relief the two men had had together the entire week before the big move.